Transparent conductive films (TCF) are high-resolution metal based electrode structures on polyester films. The TCF market offerings include both glass and film built transparent conductors. Transparent conductive films are used as transparent electrode components for manufacturing touchscreens, LCDs, and LEDs. Transparent conductive films find major application in the manufacture of touch-enabled devices due to its surface resistance and transmittance properties. Other attributes of transparent conductive films include presence or absence of optical obstructions and resistance to mechanical stresses.

The TCF market is primarily driven by rising demand for touch-assisted devices and increasing market penetration of touchscreen smartphones, tablet PCs, and tablets. Rising population, increasing tech-savvy consumers, and increasing demand for electronic products in turn are fueling growth of the global transparent conductive films market.

Decreasing cost of smartphones along with growing adoption of touch interface devices, low power consumption devices, and nominal reflection of the devices are also expected to be the driving factors of transparent conductive films market growth. Lack of a specific size of transparent conductive film that fits all the devices can be a key factor restraining the global TCF market growth. Photovoltaic applications offer significant opportunities for transparent conductive films usage in the near future. Moreover, escalating demand for touch enabled devices such as tablet PCs and notebooks is also expected to fuel demand for market during the forecast period (2016-2024). TCF also find wide application in various in-dash entertainment systems in automobiles. Increasing consumer inclination towards high-end and touch enabled entertainment systems in vehicles and increasing automobile production, especially in emerging markets such as India and China, create a highly conducive environment for market growth.

Transparent Conductive Films: Market Taxonomy

By Technology

On the basis of technology, the global market can be segmented into:

ITO on PET

ITO on Glass

Non ITO oxides

Silver Nanowires

Graphene

Carbon Nanotube

Metal Mesh

Micro fine Wire

PEDOT

By Application

Based on application, the global market is segmented into:

Tablet PCs

Tablets

Smartphones

Notebooks

TV Displays

OLED Lighting

Others (All in one PCs, OPV, etc.)

The global transparent conductive films market has been geographically segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. Asia Pacific has been the dominant region in the transparent conductive film market, followed by North America. Asia Pacific is expected to account for the highest market growth during the forecast period owing to the increasing adoption rate of touch-enabled devices and presence of maximum number of electronic device manufacturing units. The growth of TCF market in Asia Pacific region, especially in India and China is due to the increasing demand for electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets. With an aim to attain effective management on production sites, increasing application of notebooks is expected to be a major driver for the increase in demand for global transparent conductive films industry.

Key Developments

In 2014, DuPont Teijin Films launched new series of clear films Melinex TCH polyester films that will provide transparent conductive film manufacturers a clean & clear surface with excellent optical properties.

In 2014, Eastman Kodak Company launched a new transparent highly conductive film product KODAK HCF-385 Film for use in capacitive touch sensors which are used in tooling & machine equipment, home appliances, product packaging, automotive displays, and other interactive electronic devices.

In 2015, Canatu Oy launched new generation transparent conductive films CNB (Carbon NanoBud). The new series of conductive films has improved light transmittance, zero haze, zero reflectance and high transmittance.

The key players operating in transparent conductive films market include Nitto Denko Corporation, 3M Company, DuPont Teijin Films, Toyobo Corporation, Eastman Kodak, Canatu Oy, Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, Cambrios Technologies Corporation, DONTECH Inc, and Rolith. Toyobo Co., Ltd (Japan), Teijin Ltd (Japan), TDK Corporation (Japan) and Nitto Denko Corporation (Japan), are listed as some of the key manufacturers of transparent conductive films in the Asia-Pacific region. Canatu Oy, based in Finland, entered into multiple contracts in an effort to supply its conductive transparent films to various automobile manufacturers across U.S. Transparent conductive films are used in interior touch control panels of a car and entertainment system operations on steering wheels or backside of seats with minimal reflectance. This initiative has helped the company to expand its distribution network in an aim to tap the larger share of the global transparent conductive films market.