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Survey of nanotcnological consumer products 2 Survey of actors on the Danish market
2.1 Producers and the innovative environmentConsumer products – innovation and nanotechnology in Denmark In ”Teknologisk Fremsyn om Nanoteknologi”(Technological Vision on Nanotechnology) (VTU, 2004), Danish ”nano companies” were identified (see also Andersen and Rasmussen, 2006). However, several of these companies are not believed to be active within nanotechnology but can be regarded as interested in the potentials of the nanotechnology. Andersen (2006) mentions that the prevailing focus of nanotechnology in Denmark today is mainly research and development. The interaction between the nano research institutions and the companies is considered weak except in specific focus areas such as the nanocatalyst area with Haldor Topsøe A/S as the industrial partner. Andersen (2006) estimates that less than 10 of the important Danish companies are involved in nanoscience/-technology. In connection with the “Technological Vision” (VTU, 2004), a total of 58 Danish development companies were identified by Danish nano researchers. These companies do not produce consumer products and the Danish companies within nanotechnological products in development are aiming more at business to business products than regular consumer products. Table 2: Number of Danish companies categorized according to general nanotechnological areas (Andersen, 2006)
A number of established Danish production plants do research in nanotechnology and will be able to develop products that in a couple of years may be on the consumer market either directly or as suppliers to other producers. Judged by the product profile of the companies, their participation in the Nano-networking Group of Danish Standards and their applications and projects to “Højteknologifonden”, Velux, Hempel, Dyrup, Coloplast, Aalborg Portland and Fibertex are examples of such companies. 2.2 Industry and trade organisationsThe survey project has made direct contact with different trade associations in order to identify important actors within the different trades and if possible also the marketed nanoproducts. The results of these contacts are reported in the following. Information on products is included in the database and is reported in chapter 3. The selected trade associations are considered to represent the trades that are at the front within nanotechnology in consumer products. The Association of Danish Cosmetics, Toiletries, Soap and Detergent Industries (SPT) Already today SPT’s members apply nanoparticles, typically titanium dioxide in their products and the substance is applied primarily in sun lotions. Also, liposomes/nanosomes (encapsulated active substance) and nanoemulsions (water-oil detergent) are applied. During the project, SPT has inquired their members directly about which products the individual members produce and/or distribute. According to SPT, the development of the products containing nanomaterials is discussed on the meetings of the trade association, but a specific strategy or common development platform does not exist. The Federation of Danish Textile and Clothing (DTB) DTB works closely together with “Videncenter for Intelligente tekstiler” (Center of Intelligent textiles) in this area and has no independent activities or knowledge of member activities. The Center offers consultancy to Danish companies about newly developed textiles and future products within the area. Intelligent textiles are a very fast developing area in the U.S.A., United Kingdom and Germany, and the potentials are considered very large. The intelligent clothing and textiles of the future will be based on electronic textiles, ‘nano’–treated textiles and new functional materials. For example can be mentioned: baby clothes with alarm, if the baby is not breathing. Bags checking if you have remembered your keys and cigarettes. Sport clothing with sensors that measure puls and liquid condition. Clothing with bacteria- restraining substances that kill infections, for instance in working clothes. According to the Centre, particularly nano-treated working clothes will be launched on the Danish market within very few years. The Association for Glue and Filler, the Danish Paintmakers’ Association (FDLF) Apart from pigments such as carbon black and the thickener silica that have been used for decades, the trade association does not yet expect its members to use the nanotechnology. However, the association is familiar with members that have started ordering raw material samples containing nanoparticles or nanotechnology for individual Danish companies. Danish Association for Trade and Distribution of Chemicals The association does not collect information about the possible nanotechnologically based products of the members. 2.3 Suppliers of finished goods for consumersA number of Danish actors are Danish companies with web shops especially supplying product for surface treatment, for example NanoCover, Nanosalg TCnano, Nano-tec and NanoRen. A number of Danish producers of cosmetics are marketing own brands and ´private labels’ which are found in the retail trade (e.g. Persano, Blumøller) Also suppliers of internationally branded goods may have products containing nanomaterials in their collections (for example from Lancôme or L’Oreal). Generally distributors of branded goods, for example of sports clothing and sporting goods or electronics may also easily shelve articles containing nanotechnology (See also Attachment C)
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