According to a new study from The Freedonia Group, “Industrial Crystals,” the U.S. market for industrial crystals, excluding silicon, will advance nearly 6% per year through 2011 and surpass $1.1 billion. Growth will be driven in large part by strong demand for nonlinear optical materials and compound semiconductor substrates in the communications equipment market. Respectively, demand for crystals in these applications will reach $455 million and $305 million by 2011, according to the study.

While the largest gains will occur in the communications market, slightly faster growth will be realized in the security and defense market. Security and defense funding in the United States will continue to grow at a strong pace due to persistent fears of global terrorism and ongoing U.S. involvement in the Middle East. Also experiencing strong gains will be medical markets where technological advances will create new opportunities for growth. Although still healthy, more moderate gains will be experienced in areas such as transportation, scientific instruments, and industrial machinery.