Market potential of nanoremediation in Europe - Market drivers and interventions identified in a deliberative scenario approach

Sci Total Environ. 2018 Apr 1:619-620:1040-1048. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.11.215. Epub 2017 Nov 29.

Abstract

A deliberate expert-based scenario approach is applied to better understand the likely determinants of the evolution of the market for nanoparticles use in remediation in Europe until 2025. An initial set of factors had been obtained from a literature review and was complemented by a workshop and key-informant interviews. In further expert engaging formats - focus groups, workshops, conferences, surveys - this initial set of factors was condensed and engaged experts scored the factors regarding their importance for being likely to influence the market development. An interaction matrix was obtained identifying the factors being most active in shaping the market development in Europe by 2025, namely "Science-Policy-Interface" and "Validated information on nanoparticle application potential". Based on these, potential scenarios were determined and development of factors discussed. Conclusions are offered on achievable interventions to enhance nanoremediation deployment.

Keywords: Focus group; Market assessment; Nanoremediation; Scenario development.