Webinar: Growing Scrutiny on Microplastics and Evolving Regulations Presenter: Dr Shababa Selim, Senior Technology Analyst, IDTechEx Date: Thursday 18 September 2025

Mounting regulatory pressure and a looming waste crisis from end-of-life composites are driving innovations in recyclable resin systems and recycling pathways. In this article, IDTechEx Technology Analyst, Maia Benstead, explores the key emerging technologies and players looking to drive uptake of sustainable composite materials.

IDTechEx's new report "Biomanufacturing Specialty Chemicals 2026-2036" examines the role of white biotechnology in producing specialty chemicals, focusing on food additives, cosmetic and personal care ingredients, pigments, and enzymes.

This report offers a detailed independent analysis of the technological and commercial progress of graphene and other 2D materials. Coverage across 18 application areas including segmented market forecasts from 2026 to 2036. IDTechEx has over a decade of experience covering the graphene industry, predicting growth to a market value of US$2.7 billion by 2036.

IDTechEx has released a brand-new market report, "Glass in Semiconductors 2026-2036: Applications, Emerging Technologies, and Market Insights", providing end-to-end market intelligence for seven distinct glass product segments, with technology deep-dives, benchmarking, supply chain mapping, adoption drivers, risk analysis, and unit and revenue forecasts 2025-2036.

This brand-new IDTechEx report comprehensively examines advanced coatings technologies, including key developments, drivers and commercial activity throughout the coatings industry. It covers application technologies, alternative materials and key markets, including 10-year granular market forecasts.

The new IDTechEx market report "Glass in Semiconductors 2026-2036: Applications, Emerging Technologies, and Market Insights" provides the first bottom-up market model segmented by seven physical product classes, from carrier wafers through to photonic tiles. Readers will gain a clear picture of how large the opportunity is - US$4.4 billion by 2036.

IDTechEx's research dives into some of most intelligent material technologies. This article specifically explores carbon nanotubes (CNTs), self-healing materials, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).

In this article, IDTechEx examines the complex decisions shaping digital transformation in materials R&D and what they mean for the future of AI-powered innovation.

PFAS materials are critical to the functioning of today's Li-ion cells, but there is growing pressure to eliminate them from batteries due to negative health and environmental impacts and potential regulatory pressure. This article highlights how the development of non-PFAS materials is paving the way for the commercialization of the first PFAS-free batteries.

IDTechEx forecasts that the market size of thermal interface materials (TIMs) will exceed US$7 billion, covering multiple industries including EV batteries, EV power electronics (TIM1 and TIM2), data centers, advanced semiconductor packaging (TIM1 and TIM1.5), ADAS sensors, consumer electronics, and 5G. Find out more in this new article by Senior Technology Analyst Yulin Wang.

The breakdown of plastics treaty negotiations in Geneva today marks a significant blow to both global environmental governance and the plastics sector. IDTechEx Technology Analyst James Kennedy has made the following comment.

Material opportunities for electrolyzers for green hydrogen.

This article explores the key innovation trends for catalysts and membranes across the AEL, PEMEL, AEMEL, and SOEC water electrolysis technologies. This article draws on research from IDTechEx's report, "Materials for Green Hydrogen Production 2026-2036: Technologies, Players, Forecasts".

Natural chemicals, machine learning that can advance enzyme engineering, and bioplastic food containers are just some of the benefits of sustainable chemical technology. This article covers some of the sustainable technologies of the future, explored in IDTechEx's research.

IDTechEx analyst Pranav Jaswani summarizes opportunities for additive materials in Lithium-ion batteries.

Sustainable technologies are generating a record amount of interest across many sectors. This article covers the landscapes of green steel, green hydrogen, and the push for countries to achieve decarbonization goals.

IDTechEx estimates that the composite material market for green energy applications will reach US$78 billion by 2046.

High-performance rare earth magnets are set to remain critical materials in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and robotics applications, despite a climate of intensifying supply risks, price pressures and export restrictions. As new rare earth supply chains emerge across the USA, Europe and Asia, IDTechEx characterizes growth opportunities presented for rare earth magnet technologies - from separation and refining to magnet production and recycling.

Microplastics have emerged as a major environmental concern, prompting growing public awareness and increasing regulatory pressure. In response, industries are turning to innovative technologies and sustainable alternatives. IDTechEx explores global regulations and cutting-edge solutions shaping the future of this rapidly evolving space.