Nano World

Nanotechnology enables manufacturers to lower the cost involved in resources and waste during the production process.  It is expected to bring enormous changes to the industry, health care practice and environmental management. Such technology gives us the ability to alter objects at molecular level by manipulation of molecules and atoms.

Already, nano-science has produced stain and wrinkle-resistant clothing.  Nanotechnology is in the process of revolutionizing consumer technology.

Nanotechnology is starting to bring big profits to many consumer product makers. Estimates of nanotechnology’s financial impact across all industries ranges from about $20 billion to $50 billion in revenues today, jumping to as much as $1 trillion by 2010 and more than $2 trillion by 2015.

The US has invested US$982 million in research and development of nanotechnology, Japan has spent US$875 million, Korea US$237 million and Hong Kong US$12.8 million.

In 2002, clothing maker Levi Strauss introduced Dockers pants that use stain defender to keep spills out of fabric. About 40% of Dockers’ women’s and men’s classic and premium clothes now have stain defender or other nanotechnology, such as the perspiration guard line that draws moisture from the body and spreads it across the fabric to dry out faster.

More than 20 million garments using its treatments have been sold in 2004. Major customers include Gap, Eddie Bauer, Nordstrom, Brooks Brother, Nike, Old Navy, Perry Ellis and Tommy Hilfiger. 

According to a report, a survey of USA manufacturers found 28% already were selling nanotechnology products late last year. Another 15% expected to introduce commercial products within a year. In fact, fabrics and apparels infused with nano particles are already marketed to the public.

  Back to Index of January 2005