Metamaterials Market Report 2026

The metamaterials market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $1.9 billion in 2025 to $2.41 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing research in electromagnetic materials, growing demand for defense stealth technology, miniaturization of electronic components, advancements in wireless communication, early adoption in medical imaging.

The metamaterials market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.27 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising investment in energy harvesting, expansion of 5g and next-gen communication networks, integration with AI and autonomous systems, increasing adoption in smart infrastructure, innovations in photonic and terahertz applications. Major trends in the forecast period include advanced electromagnetic wave manipulation, stealth & defense applications, medical imaging innovations, wireless communication enhancement, energy harvesting & efficiency solutions.

The rising demand for wireless communication is expected to drive the growth of the metamaterials market going forward. Wireless communication involves the transfer of information between devices without physical connections, using radio waves, infrared, or other electromagnetic signals. This growing demand is fueled by increasing digital connectivity, technological advancements, and the need for seamless, real-time communication solutions, leading to widespread adoption. Metamaterials enhance wireless communication by providing superior control over electromagnetic waves, improving signal strength, reducing interference, and enabling the development of compact, high-performance antennas and devices. For example, in June 2025, Ericsson, a Sweden-based telecommunications company, reported that global mobile data traffic is expected to reach 280 EB per month by 2030 (or 430 EB including FWA), while 5G’s share - rising from 26% in 2023 to 35% in 2024 - is projected to reach 80% by 2030. Therefore, the rising demand for wireless communication is driving growth in the metamaterials market.

Key companies in the metamaterials market are focusing on developing cutting-edge technologies, such as light control metasurface (LCM) technology, to create innovative solutions that enhance performance and enable new applications across various industries. LCM technology uses engineered surfaces to steer and control light waves with high precision, replacing traditional mechanical components in optical systems. For instance, in May 2024, Lumotive Inc., a US-based optical semiconductor technology company, and Hokuyo Automatic Co., Ltd., a Japan-based company specializing in sensors and automation, launched the YLM-10LX 3D lidar sensor. The YLM-10LX sensor, powered by Lumotive's LCM technology, replaces mechanical parts with dynamic metasurfaces to manipulate light, offering exceptional stability and accuracy in 3D object recognition. It also provides superior range and field of view, improving performance in industrial automation and robotics, thus driving innovation in lidar technology.

In June 2023, BASF Venture Capital, a Germany-based corporate venture capital (CVC) firm, partnered with Phomera Metamaterials Inc. The collaboration aims to advance the development and commercialization of photonic crystal metamaterials, supporting industrial upgrades and sustainability objectives. Phomera Metamaterials Inc., based in China, specializes in the large-scale production of photonic crystal metamaterials.

Major companies operating in the metamaterials market are BAE Systems Inc., RTX Corporation, Thorlabs Inc., NKT Photonics A/S, Pivotal Commware Inc., Kymeta Corporation, Moxtek Inc., Greenerwave, Metamaterial Inc., Lumotive Inc., TeraView Limited, Fractal Antenna Systems Inc., ALCAN Systems GmbH, Metalenz Inc., Edgehog Advanced Technologies Inc., Phoebus Optoelectronics LLC, Alight Technologies ApS, 2Pi Inc., Etaphase Inc., Phomera Metamaterials Inc.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs have influenced the metamaterials market by increasing the cost of importing raw materials, precision components, and specialized manufacturing equipment, affecting production timelines and profitability. Segments like photonic and terahertz metamaterials, particularly in regions such as North America and Europe, are most impacted due to reliance on imported components. However, tariffs have encouraged local manufacturing initiatives and innovation in material sourcing, fostering the development of cost-effective and efficient metamaterial solutions globally.

The metamaterials market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides metamaterials market statistics, including metamaterials industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a metamaterials market share, detailed metamaterials market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the metamaterials industry. This metamaterials market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Metamaterials are engineered materials designed with properties not found in naturally occurring substances, achieved by structuring them at microscopic or nanoscopic levels. These materials are used across a wide range of applications, including advanced optics, electromagnetic wave manipulation, stealth technology, medical imaging, wireless communication, and energy harvesting.

The primary types of metamaterials include electromagnetic, terahertz, photonic, tunable, frequency-selective surface, and non-linear metamaterials. Electromagnetic metamaterials are engineered to control electromagnetic waves, enabling unique manipulation of light, radio waves, and other electromagnetic signals. They have various applications, including communication antennas and radar (for beam steering), sensors, solar panels and absorbers, displays, medical imaging, wind screens, and more. These materials are utilized across industries such as automotive, aerospace and defense, consumer electronics, medical, energy and power, and others.North America was the largest region in the metamaterials market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the metamaterials market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the metamaterials market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The metamaterials market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as customization and design services, consulting and advisory services, prototyping and development services, and integration and implementation services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The metamaterials market consists of sales of optical components, eyewear, and films. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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