Global Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Market 2016-2020

Market overview of DFMC

Technavio’s market research analyst predicts the global DFMC market to grow at a CAGR of more than 40% during the forecast period. The rising need to save energy and high adoption of green technology in many countries are the major drivers contributing to the growth of the global DMFC market. At present, governments worldwide are taking several initiatives, in terms of investments, R&D, and commercialization, to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption. As a result, there has been an increased focus on energy-efficient products for energy generation and storage, including fuel cells. This has led to growing awareness among consumers about the use of DMFCs. Also, many end-users prefer using energy-efficient products such as DMFCs to expand their energy storage and reduce their operating expenses.

Advances in technology have boosted the growth and use of DMFCs in different electronics devices. For instance, the use of DMFC in combination with batteries in forklifts extends the working time, reduces the operating cost, and also reduces the greenhouse gas emissions. Also, important developments have been made to raise the system energy densities. With the rise in energy density, the lifespan and performance of DMFCs will also get extended. This will enable the use of DMFCs in many portable applications. At present, lithium-based batteries are primarily employed in portable applications. However, rapid technological advancements will enable DMFCs to replace lithium-based batteries.

Segmentation by application and analysis of the DFMC market

• Portable
• Stationary
• Transportation

The portable segment accounted for more than 81% of the market share during 2015 and is expected to retain its market leadership until the end of 2020. The military sector is the emerging area for DMFC applications in terms of portable power. The defense industry's need for lightweight, portable power solutions to reduce the weight borne by a soldier is driving the adoption of DMFCs. DMFCs are also used to power on-board communication systems, sensors, and provide continuous power for weapon systems during independent missions. Also, these devices help charge the batteries that supply power to equipment.

Geographical segmentation and analysis of the DFMC market

• Americas
• APAC
• EMEA

During 2015, the EMEA region dominated the market, accounting for more than 40% of the market share. The demand for clean and reliable power sources, coupled with the growing investments in DMFCs, is contributing to the growth of the DMFC market in EMEA. Significant resources are being allocated for the R&D of clean technologies such as DMFC for use in stationary power and in vehicles. The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH-JU) that falls under the Horizon 2020, Europe’s flagship research program, has funded several projects for the development of larger capacity DMFC to be used in the telecom sector and in new materials that would increase the durability of DMFC.

Competitive landscape and key vendors

The global DMFC market has few vendors. They work on various segments in developing DMFC products for stationary and portable power. There are also some firms that are highly specialized and provide expertise in proprietary technology.

The key vendors in the market are -

• DMFCC
• Hitachi
• Oorja Protonics
• SFC Energy

Other prominent vendors in the market include Enocell, FuelCellsEtc, and Neah Power Systems.

Key questions answered in the report include

• What will the market size and the growth rate be in 2020?
• What are the key factors driving the global DFMC market?
• What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the DFMC market?
• What are the challenges to market growth?
• Who are the key vendors in this market space?
• What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the global DFMC market?
• What are the trending factors influencing the market shares of the Americas, APAC, and EMEA?
• What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the DFMC market?

Technavio also offers customization on reports based on specific client requirement.

Related reports:

• Fuel Cell Market in North America 2015-2019
• Global Fuel Cell Market 2015-2019
• Global Fuel Cell Market in the Automotive Industry 2015-2019
• Global Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Market 2016-2020

Direct methanol fuel cell, or DMFC, is a type of fuel cell technology that uses polymer membrane electrolytes similar to PEMFC and combines the reliability of a fuel cell with the advantages of a liquid fuel. This fuel cell technology was developed by the National Aerospace and Space Administration (NASA) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to serve as an alternative to existing electrochemical techniques. Advantages like its lower emission levels and favorable maintenance costs will spur its adoption over the next few years.

The global direct methanol fuel cell market report is part of Technavio’s energy research portfolio. This portfolio provides a comprehensive market analysis along with the market share, market sizing, and market segmentations covering areas such as energy storage, power, oil and gas, smart grid, and waste and waste management. These market research reports provide a perspective on the various market opportunities and market threats along with the key trends that would influence the market growth during the forecast period. It presents insights into the changing competitive landscape and a detailed profiling and market analysis of the vendors. Also covered in the research are the key regions or countries that would have an impact on the market during the assessment years.