Technology Convergence Report 2025

Convergence transformation The evolution and convergence of advanced materials represents a fundamental transformation in how material design, manufacturing and implementation are approached. The advancement of advanced materials technologies is becoming a critical enabler for progress in various sectors, enhancing the performance, durability and sustainability of next-gen technologies. The global advanced materials market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by cross-domain value creation and the ability to achieve enhanced functionality through the combination of diverse materials. This trend is particularly evident in industries such as aerospace, automotive, sustainable construction, healthcare and energy, where smart adaptive materials are unlocking new capabilities and expanding market opportunities.The investment landscape is also evolving – from long-term, capital-expenditure-intensive commitments in traditional materials to increased access to financing through venture capital and strategic partnerships. Notable recent investments by Microsoft, Breakthrough Energy, CRH Ventures and various EU grant programmes underscore the growing significance of advanced materials convergence in enabling broader technological innovation. A key objective of emerging advanced materials policies is to strengthen strategic sovereignty. By promoting innovation in advanced materials, policy-makers aim to reduce dependency on certain critical raw materials and provide viable alternatives that support long-term industrial resilience and sustainability. CASE STUDY 9 Citrine informatics Citrine is an AI platform for data driven materials and chemicals development. The platform integrates large-scale data from simulation outputs to experimental results and scientific literature, the platform applies AI to predict how materials and chemicals will perform under a wide range of conditions. Combining AI and advanced materials has enabled clients to achieve their R&D, product development and manufacturing milestones more efficiently, reducing the time and cost of new materials development, as it is reducing the number of experiment iterations needed.Bio-engineered materials for recycled plastic Citrine accelerates the development of compounds using recycled content to meet customer and market demands, supply chain volatility, and emerging regulatory and sustainability initiatives. AI modelling for energy storage Citrine’s AI models support electrolyte formulation and component design to accelerate development timelines, optimize resource use across the supply chain and ensure materials meet targeted performance criteria. Technology Convergence Report 43