April 22, 1998
News Release 98-026
GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS OF U.S. INDUSTRIES ENHANCED
BY NEW MANUFACTURING PROCESSES FOR MATERIALS
U.S. industries are placing a growing emphasis on improving the processes used to
manufacture the component materials of a wide range of commercial products. From
ceramic composites to steel, both the industries that produce the component materials and the
downstream industries that use them in parts and final products are finding that their global
competitiveness is directly affected by the adoption of new manufacturing processes for
materials (NMPM), according to Commercialization of New Manufacturing Processes for
Materials, a new staff research study by the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC)
Office of Industries.
The publication compiles a variety of articles on NMPM, a complex and rapidly evolving
subject area, that were developed by ITC staff as part of their ongoing research and
published individually in previous issues of the Industry, Trade, and Technology Review, a
quarterly publication of the ITC Office of Industries. Most articles included in the staff
research study have been updated to reflect recent developments.
The research study was prepared by ITC staff. The findings included in the publication do
not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. International Trade Commission or any of the
Commissioners.
The staff research presented in the publication examines several different NMPM in various
stages of development and commercialization; factors affecting adoption of NMPM; benefits
and drawbacks as compared with conventional processes; industries and companies involved
and interactions between them; the role of the government in commercialization; and the
extent of adoption of new processes in the United States and foreign countries. Principal
findings include:
- NMPM cover a wide assortment of materials and applications and are used to produce
both conventional and advanced materials.
- The automobile sector is a primary target market for the materials produced using
new processes. This is because this sector is one of the largest consumers of metal,
ceramic, and polymer materials, and the industry is attempting to improve efficiency
and minimize the environmental effects of its products.
- There is a significant emphasis on processes to produce composites for example,
combining metal and ceramic material to produce a substance that has the
advantageous properties of both.
- Foreign competitors are undertaking initiatives to commercialize NMPM,
underscoring the importance of U.S. industry efforts to develop and commercialize
NMPM.
- Environmental issues, such as pollution avoidance and energy saving, are driving the
development of many NMPM.
- Commercialization is a formidable task with substantial economic, technical, and
other barriers.
- Collaboration and cooperation are important factors in developing NMPM, both
between companies and between governments and industries, and are considered key
strategies by certain industry segments or individual firms for overcoming
commercialization barriers.
Commercialization of New Manufacturing Processes for Materials (Staff Research Study
Number 22, USITC publication 3100, April 1998) will be available on the ITC's Internet
server at www.usitc.gov. The study will also be available at regional federal depository
libraries in the United States. To request a printed copy, contact the Office of the Secretary,
U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests
may be faxed to 202-205-2104.
-- 30 --