Materials production economics : an examination of the variables and relationships that drive materials production and recycling in the world economy

Abstract

Introduction: New materials are being developing each year that could revolutionize the world. However, while development of novel materials in the lab brings us one step closer to next latest-and-greatest innovation, the following and perhaps similarly difficult step requires bringing these materials to the world market. Indeed, "although U.S. firms have invested the majority of materials introduced over the past half-century, they have failed to commercialize many of these innovations" (Eagar, 98). For a material introduction to be successful, it will be useful to understand the trends involved within the market for such an introduction and for continuing survival.