Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanopowders find application across a number of markets where they are used for their anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-corrosion, catalytic, and UV-filtering properties. They are also suited to electronics applications such as capacitors, varistors, photoprinting and electrophotography due to their extremely low levels of heavy metal impurities.
The main markets for nano ZnO are as UV-filters. They are chiefly used as cosmetic and sunscreen additives. They show excellent absorption in both the UV-B and UV-A region. Their larger surface area also makes their protection functionality much more effective. Thie same holds for UV-protection of e.g. lacquer films and polymer surfaces.
Oter applicatons for nanoZnO include automotive composite additives for colour fastness, transparent conductive thin-films in blue laser diodes, solar cells and liquid crystal displays, ZnO nanocolumns that act both as optical amplification medium and as a laser resonator, an anti-bacterial agent in the medicine and health and textile sectors, disinfection and self-cleaning glass-ceramic materials, industry sterilization dressings, packaging films and UV-protective textiles.
Production estimates for nanoZnO is between 80,000-90,000 tons per annum and they are mainly sold to cosmetics and sunscreens producers. Main producers sell over 500 tons per month to these industries alone.
The main producers of nanoZnO are BASF, Antaria Ltd., Buhler Partec, Elementis Specialties, Haarmann and Reime, Nanophase, Sakai, Showa Denko, Sumitomo Cement, Sunjin Chemical Co. Ltd. and Tayca Corporation. Sunjin Chemical Co. Ltd. and Tayca Corporation. Further information on the market is available in the Future Markets, Inc. report The World Market for Zinc Oxide Nanopowders.
