The global antimony tin oxide (ATO) market is expected to witness substantial growth over the forecast period on account of increasing demand from its end-users industries such as electronic industry, textile industry and painting and coating industry, chemical industry and micro equipment industry. Antimony tin oxide is used in electronics in touch systems and LCD technology. In resistive touch screen, two layers of electrically conductive material are which are made up of ATO separated by insulated dots. The touch screen is an important electronic market segment in smart TV and mobile phone manufacturing industry. The changing market trend in mobile phones and increasing demand for touch screen phones is expected to drive the market for antimony tin oxide. Furthermore, use of ATO as additives in plastic is expected to foster the demand in the market owing to the increasing demand in plastics market and related industries such as, automotive and consumer appliances. However, increasing health risks and demand for biodegradable plastics is expected to hinder market growth.
Antimony tin oxide is an alloy formed by the combination of tin oxide and antimony pentoxide. The alloy is highly conductive with antimony and tin ratio as 20:80 or 5:95 respectively. ATO has good electrical properties with the ability to form nanoparticles which are used in various applications such as composites and alloys. It appears in the form of blue powder and has the spherical morphology which causes serious irritation in the eyes and skin if consumed. It has few other applications in sunlight shielding, as the dispersing liquid in producing solid as well as transparent substrate sunlight shielding. The nanoparticles of antimony tin oxide possess various novel properties such as magnetic, electrical and optical. On account of these properties, they are used in several high technologies and related industries and depend on their shape, structure and size.
Antimony tin oxide is extensively used in various industries such as fiber and textile, electronic, electrical and plastic and in various industries which produce end use products such as plastics in automotive industry and consumer appliances industry. ATO has various applications such as additives in plastics, use of nanoparticles of the oxide in high technology products and in electrical products owing to the high conductive property. Antimony tin oxides are also used in nanowires and in micro equipment. ATO is used in painting and thermal ceramic coating. The rising demand for apparel has led to increasing demand for antimony tin oxide owing to its use in fiber and textile industry. Innovation and enhanced product quality such as strength and durability are another factors for increasing demand for ATO.
The Asia-Pacific market is expected to grow substantially over the forecast period owing to increasing consumer disposable income, growing electronics market and rising standard of living. Indian market is anticipated to contribute to the increasing demand for antimony tin oxide owing to rising demand for electronic products in the market. Moderate growth of North American market is anticipated owing to high manufacturing. The market in Europe is expected to grow on account of high consumer disposable income and high standard of living. The Latin American market is expected to witness sluggish growth on account of low disposable consumer income and low standard of living. The Middle East and African market are expected to grow owing to increasing standard of living and developing the concept of middle class among the prevailing population.
The major contributors to antimony tin oxide market are Alfa Aesar Co. Ltd., Hongwu International Group Ltd., Hu Ben New Material Technology Co. Ltd., Jia Long Nam Industry Co. Ltd., MEL Chemicals Inc., Mitsubishi Materials Electronic Chemicals Co. Ltd., Nanjing Haitainami Materials Co. Ltd., Tektronix Nano Technology Co. Ltd., Hongwu International Group Ltd., US Research Nanomaterials, Inc., NanoMaterials Technology Pte. Ltd. and Jia Long Nam Industry Co. Ltd.
