KEY POINTS
- Nanotechnology is having an increasing impact on the Australian economy and society.
- Nanotechnology involves the manipulation of matter at the molecular scale and has the potential to fundamentally alter the way people live, by providing new drug delivery systems, faster and cheaper manufacturing processes, cleaner and more efficient energy generation, new materials, clean water and the next generation of computing devices.
- Nanotechnology needs to be developed in a responsible manner that effectively addresses its health, safety and environmental implications. Through the National Nanotechnology Strategy regulatory agencies are reviewing the impact of nanotechnology on regulatory frameworks. This will be increasingly important as new applications of nanotechnology are developed and appear in products available to do community.
- Australian researchers and industry are actively participating in the development of nanotechnology. The 2007 Nanotechnology Capability Directory identified around 75 nanotechnology research organisations and 80 companies researching nanotechnology or developing nanotechnology related products.
- The National Nanotechnology Strategy focuses on nano-metrological capability; effective and appropriate regulatory frameworks; public awareness and coordination of a whole of government approach to nanotechnology. The current strategy is scheduled to cease in June 2009.
- The Review of the National Innovation System will look at the issues of frontier science and enabling technologies - such as nanotechnology - to determine how these technologies can be integrated into the national innovation system as a whole.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Overview
Nanotechnology involves the manipulation of matter at the molecular scale and has the potential to fundamentally alter the way people live, by providing new drug delivery systems, faster and cheaper manufacturing processes, cleaner and more efficient energy generation, new materials, clean water and the next generation of computing devices. Nanotechnology can lead to novel properties of products raising health, environmental, social and ethical issues.
Industry Structure
Nanotechnology is an enabling technology rather than a sector itself. Applications occur in biotechnology, materials science, chemicals and plastics, cosmetic, health care, energy and ICT.
In early 2007 Invest Australia developed a capability directory which identified:
- 80 nanotechnology companies (companies using nanotechnology in products/services)
- 75 research institutions active in nanotechnology
Leading firms
Given the nature of nanotechnology there are no large firms who's principle business relates to nanotechnology. Nano specific companies are typically SMEs commercialising nanotechnology-based products. These include:
- Advanced Nanotechnology
- CapXX
- pSivida
- Starpharma
- MiniFab
- Very Small Particle Company
- A few larger ones using from the capability directory
- Pilkington Glass
- GJ James
- Orica
- Cochlear
- KingGee
- PolyNovo Biomaterials Pty Ltd
Industry Policy
The National Nanotechnology Strategy includes the following key initiatives:
- address the health, safety and environmental (HSE) impacts of nanotechnology on regulations and standards;
- undertake a public awareness and engagement program to provide balanced advice on nanotechnology;
- establish a nano-particle metrology capability at the National Measurement Institute; and
- facilitate a whole of government approach to nanotechnology through the Australian Office of Nanotechnology.
The NNS is scheduled to cease in June 2009.
The NNS complements existing research, research infrastructure, innovation and industry policies that promote the development of enabling technologies such as nanotechnology.
The wide ranging Review of National Innovation System has been asked to specifically look at the issues of frontier science and emerging or enabling technologies - such as nanotechnology - to determine how these technologies can be integrated into the national innovation system as a whole. This should position the Government to consider what policies on nanotechnology are necessary after the cessation of the current NNS in June 2009.
Opportunities and emerging issues
The NNS aims to address the emerging issues for the nanotechnology sector:
- Ensure HSE issues are effectively addressed
- Ensure a well informed public debate about the social, ethical and economic impacts
- Encourage industry uptake of nanotechnology to improve competitiveness
Along with other enabling technologies encourage linkages between public research and industry to ensure Australia benefits from the opportunities emerging from the application of nanotechnology in industry
Key Statistics
The Australian Bureau of Statistics does not collect data on nanotechnology as a separate industry code and nanotechnology has only been explicitly included as a research code since March 2008. Nanotechnology is typically incorporated into products or services which would be classified under other sectors. The future market size of products incorporating nanotechnology is estimated to be in the range of US$150 billion in 2010 to as much as US$2.6 trillion in 2014 (LuxResearch 2006).