Metal Organic Frameworks Market Projected to Grow Greatly

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of materials with high porosity and surface area (up to 7000 m²/g). The design flexibility and structural versatility afforded by MOFs have attracted interest in numerous applications. The tunability, cycling stability, and selective adsorption/desorption characteristics of these materials are opportunities for commercialization as energy-efficient alternatives for various energy-intensive technologies. These include carbon capture, water harvesting for potable water production and HVAC systems, and various chemical separations and purification processes. IDTechEx's latest report "Metal-Organic Frameworks 2025-2035: Markets, Technologies, and Forecasts" predicts the MOFs market will exceed US$930 million by 2035.

Historically, a primary obstacle that has hindered the commercialization of MOFs has been prohibitive manufacturing costs, which manifest in high market prices. However, recent partnerships between established industry players, e.g. BASF, and startups such as AirJoule, Svante, and WaHa to scale up the production of specific MOFs to commercialize MOF-based technologies can help the move toward reducing these costs. Together with tperformance characteristics afforded by these materials, there is potential to position MOFs as a more competitive option to replace incumbent energy-intensive technologies.

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Manufacturing MOFs

Industrial implementation depends on material availability, quality, and affordability. Most MOFs developed in research labs are synthesized using solvothermal methods on the milligrams scale. To produce MOFs on an industrial scale, the production methods need to be scalable, according to IDTechEx.

Using key insights gained from interviews with key players such as BASF, Numat, and Promethean Particles, IDTechEx's report assesses the merits and challenges of the various approaches undertaken by manufacturers to upscale MOF production. Informed by research, the factors that impact the production costs and the selling price of MOFs are also addressed. The report also presents an overview of the production capacities of key manufacturers.

MOFs for Gas Storage, Energy Storage, Other Applications

MOFs are being explored for gas storage applications, with U.S.-based MOF manufacturer Numat having commercialized its ION-X range for the storage of dopant gases for the semiconductor industry. Several start-ups are also developing prototypes of MOF-based natural gas storage solutions to support gas supply networks, while developments in hydrogen storage applications are less advanced. Energy storage and applications in batteries are also areas MOFs are witnessing more interest with players such as GM, LG Energy, and others leading R&D activities. Several other early-stage applications are also discussed in IDTechEx's report such as catalysis, sensors, and more.

IDTechEx Outlook for MOFs

The varied applications of MOFs present a large scope for adoption of MOF-based technologies, in applications where MOFs can result in a material reduction in energy consumption and operational costs. These include carbon capture, chemical separations, and water harvesting. However, these technologies have not yet been demonstrated on an industrial scale and novel technologies can be considered risky, which may be a barrier to early adoption. Additionally, incumbent technologies have a stronghold in the key target markets, and MOFs may struggle to gain market share.

With the advent of several commercial products over the next decade, MOF-based technologies will need to demonstrate their performance at scale.

As MOF-based technologies approach commercialization, IDTechEx's new report "Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) 2025-2035: Markets, Technologies, and Forecasts" offers an independent analysis of key trends and considers applications of MOFs for several other early-stage technologies, including hydrogen storage, energy storage (e.g. batteries), semiconductors, sensors, and more.

For more information on this report, including downloadable sample pages, see www.IDTechEx.com/MOFs.

For the full portfolio of advanced materials market research, visit www.IDTechEx.com/Research/AM.

Note: Dr Shababa Selim, senior technology analyst at IDTechEx, is credited as providing the details of the report noted in this brief.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.