Ceramic Foam Market latest Statistics on Market Size, Growth, Production, Sales Volume, Sales Price, Market Share and Import vs Export 

Ceramic Foam Market Summary Highlights

The Ceramic Foam Market is demonstrating stable expansion supported by rising demand from molten metal filtration, thermal insulation, catalyst supports, and energy-efficient industrial processing. Ceramic foams, characterized by high porosity (typically 70%–95%), low density, high temperature resistance exceeding 1500°C, and excellent chemical stability, are increasingly being adopted in precision manufacturing sectors where material purity and thermal stability remain critical performance parameters.

In 2025, the Ceramic Foam Market is estimated to be valued at approximately USD 512 million, with projections indicating it could reach nearly USD 845 million by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of around 7.4%. Growth momentum remains strongly tied to expansion in automotive casting, aerospace components, renewable energy infrastructure, and advanced ceramics applications.

Demand for ceramic foam filters in aluminum casting alone accounts for nearly 38% of total Ceramic Foam Market revenue in 2025, primarily due to increasing lightweight vehicle production. For instance, electric vehicle production is projected to grow by 18% annually between 2025 and 2030, directly increasing the need for defect-free aluminum castings, where ceramic foam filtration remains essential.

Silicon carbide ceramic foam products hold approximately 34% market share due to their superior thermal shock resistance and mechanical strength. Meanwhile, alumina ceramic foams contribute around 29%, particularly in steel filtration applications.

Asia-Pacific dominates the Ceramic Foam Market with nearly 46% share in 2025, supported by strong foundry production in China, India, Japan, and South Korea. Europe accounts for about 24%, supported by strict casting quality regulations and sustainability mandates.

Technological advancements such as nano-coated ceramic foams and hybrid ceramic composites are expected to improve filtration efficiency by 15–22% between 2026 and 2030, further expanding application potential.

Key statistical insights defining the Ceramic Foam Market:

• The Ceramic Foam Market is projected to grow at a 7.4% CAGR between 2025 and 2032.
• Aluminum casting applications account for approximately 38% of Ceramic Foam Market demand in 2025.
• Silicon carbide ceramic foams represent about 34% product share, followed by alumina at 29%.
• Asia-Pacific holds nearly 46% share of the Ceramic Foam Market, making it the largest regional consumer.
• Automotive applications contribute roughly 31% of Ceramic Foam Market consumption due to lightweight vehicle manufacturing.
• Porosity ranges between 80% and 95% in most commercial ceramic foams, improving filtration efficiency by up to 40% compared to traditional filters.
• Industrial metal casting defect reduction using ceramic foam filtration improves yield rates by approximately 12–18%.
• Demand for ceramic foams in catalyst carriers is expected to grow at 8.1% annually through 2030 due to emission control regulations.
• Steel production filtration applications contribute nearly 21% of Ceramic Foam Market revenues.
• Advanced ceramic foam R&D investments are projected to increase by 9% annually between 2025 and 2029 as industries seek performance optimization.

Ceramic Foam Market Trend: Rising Demand from Lightweight Automotive Manufacturing

The Ceramic Foam Market is experiencing strong growth due to increasing demand for lightweight metals in automotive production. Aluminum usage per vehicle is projected to increase from 185 kg per vehicle in 2025 to nearly 240 kg by 2030, reflecting the industry’s transition toward fuel efficiency and electrification.

Ceramic foam filters play a critical role in aluminum casting because they remove inclusions such as oxides and carbides. For instance, filtration using ceramic foam improves molten aluminum cleanliness by nearly 35%, reducing rejection rates in automotive components such as transmission housings, battery enclosures, and structural frames.

Electric vehicle production is expected to cross 28 million units annually by 2030, compared to approximately 16 million units in 2025, creating strong downstream demand for defect-free cast components. As a result, foundries are increasing ceramic foam adoption to improve casting reliability.

For example:

• EV battery housing production is projected to grow by 21% annually
• Structural aluminum casting demand is expected to grow 16% annually
• Automotive aluminum casting output may rise 14% between 2025 and 2028

This trend directly strengthens Ceramic Foam Market growth because filtration remains a mandatory step in high-precision casting processes.

The Ceramic Foam Market Size is therefore expanding alongside global aluminum casting output, which is projected to exceed 79 million metric tons by 2028, compared to approximately 64 million metric tons in 2025.

Ceramic Foam Market Driver: Expansion of Steel Production Quality Standards

Quality requirements in steel manufacturing are becoming stricter, driving increased use of ceramic foam filtration systems. Modern steelmaking increasingly focuses on inclusion control to meet aerospace, defense, and energy sector requirements.

Ceramic foam filters reduce non-metallic inclusions by nearly 28%, improving fatigue resistance in high-performance steel. For instance, wind turbine shafts and aerospace fasteners require ultra-clean steel grades, which depend on ceramic filtration technologies.

Global crude steel production is projected to grow from approximately 1.95 billion tons in 2025 to 2.15 billion tons by 2030, with high-quality specialty steel growing faster at nearly 6.2% annually.

Examples of sectors increasing demand include:

• Wind energy components growing 11% annually
• Aerospace alloy steel demand growing 9% annually
• Industrial machinery production rising 7% annually

Such growth increases the need for filtration solutions capable of operating above 1600°C, reinforcing the importance of ceramic foam products.

As a result, the Ceramic Foam Market is benefiting from structural changes in metallurgy where quality improvement is prioritized over volume expansion.

Ceramic Foam Market Trend: Growing Use in Environmental and Catalyst Applications

Environmental regulations are expanding the use of ceramic foams as catalyst substrates and emission control components. Due to their high surface area and thermal durability, ceramic foams are increasingly used in catalytic converters, diesel particulate filters, and industrial emission control systems.

Ceramic foam substrates provide surface area improvements of nearly 25–40% compared to conventional honeycomb structures in certain catalyst designs. This improves reaction efficiency and pollutant conversion rates.

Industrial emission control investments are projected to increase by 12% annually between 2025 and 2030, particularly in Asia and Europe.

Examples include:

• Industrial VOC treatment capacity projected to grow 10% annually
• Hydrogen reforming catalyst demand growing 13% annually
• Waste-to-energy plant construction rising 8% annually

Stricter particulate emission limits are also encouraging the use of advanced ceramic foam filtration systems capable of capturing particles below 10 microns.

These developments are expanding the Ceramic Foam Market into environmental engineering sectors beyond traditional metallurgy.

Ceramic Foam Market Driver: Growth of Renewable Energy Infrastructure

Renewable energy manufacturing is becoming a major demand generator for ceramic foam materials. Applications include solar panel glass manufacturing, wind turbine casting, and hydrogen processing components.

For instance, wind turbine installations are projected to grow from 128 GW added capacity in 2025 to nearly 182 GW annually by 2030. Each turbine requires high-integrity cast metal components, many of which require ceramic foam filtration during production.

Hydrogen production infrastructure is also increasing demand. Electrolyzer manufacturing is projected to grow by 20% annually through 2030, requiring advanced ceramic materials capable of corrosion resistance and thermal stability.

Examples of growth sectors supporting Ceramic Foam Market demand include:

• Solar glass production growing 9% annually
• Wind casting components growing 12% annually
• Hydrogen processing equipment growing 15% annually

These applications require materials capable of operating in corrosive and high-temperature environments, positioning ceramic foams as suitable solutions.

The Ceramic Foam Market Size is therefore benefiting from capital expenditure growth in renewable manufacturing ecosystems, particularly as governments push decarbonization programs.

Ceramic Foam Market Trend: Advancements in Material Engineering and Manufacturing Efficiency

Material innovation is becoming a major trend shaping the Ceramic Foam Market. Manufacturers are developing multi-material ceramic foams combining alumina, zirconia, and silicon carbide to improve durability and filtration precision.

New production methods such as additive manufacturing assisted replication processes are improving pore uniformity by approximately 18%, which directly enhances filtration consistency.

Manufacturers are also improving mechanical strength by incorporating nano-ceramic coatings that increase fracture resistance by nearly 20% compared to conventional ceramic foams.

Examples of technology improvements include:

• Uniform pore size control improving filtration efficiency by 15%
• Strength improvements increasing product lifespan by 22%
• Manufacturing cost reductions of approximately 8% through automation

Digital quality monitoring in ceramic foam production is also expanding. Smart kiln monitoring systems are projected to reduce production defects by nearly 11%, improving supply reliability.

As a result, technological progress is not only improving product performance but also making ceramic foam more cost competitive compared to alternative filtration materials.

This innovation-driven transformation is strengthening the Ceramic Foam Market by expanding its applicability across high-performance industrial environments.

Ceramic Foam Market Geographic Demand Concentration

The Ceramic Foam Market demonstrates clear geographic demand concentration patterns driven by foundry density, automotive production clusters, and industrial manufacturing expansion. In 2025, Asia-Pacific accounts for approximately 46% of Ceramic Foam Market demand, followed by Europe at 24%, North America at 19%, and the rest of the world contributing nearly 11%.

Asia-Pacific demand remains structurally supported by large-scale metal casting industries. For instance, China alone contributes nearly 32% of global aluminum casting output, while India is projected to increase casting capacity by 9% annually between 2025 and 2030, strengthening regional Ceramic Foam Market consumption.

India’s automotive casting output is projected to rise from 6.8 million tons in 2025 to nearly 9.5 million tons by 2031, directly supporting ceramic foam filter demand. For example, aluminum wheel manufacturing capacity is expected to grow by 11% annually, increasing filtration requirements.

Europe remains a high-value Ceramic Foam Market due to strict metallurgical standards. For instance:

• Germany contributes nearly 28% of European ceramic foam consumption
• Aerospace alloy casting demand is projected to grow 8% annually
• Precision casting filtration penetration exceeds 72% of foundries

North America shows stable growth driven by reshoring of industrial manufacturing. For example, U.S. casting modernization investments are projected to grow 6.5% annually, increasing adoption of high-performance filtration materials.

Such geographic patterns demonstrate how industrial policy and manufacturing expansion directly shape the Ceramic Foam Market growth trajectory.

Ceramic Foam Market Regional Production Landscape

Production distribution within the Ceramic Foam Market closely follows industrial ceramics manufacturing ecosystems. Asia-Pacific accounts for nearly 52% of global production capacity, benefiting from lower processing costs and integrated ceramics supply chains.

China, Japan, and South Korea collectively contribute approximately 41% of Ceramic Foam Market production volumes. For instance, China’s industrial ceramics output is projected to grow 7% annually through 2030, supporting export supply of ceramic foam filters.

European production remains specialized in high-performance ceramic foams used in aerospace and specialty alloys. For example, nearly 63% of European ceramic foam output is directed toward high-specification industrial filtration compared to 48% globally.

North American Ceramic Foam Market production is shifting toward automation. Smart manufacturing adoption is projected to increase productivity by 14% between 2025 and 2029, improving supply stability.

Regional production trends indicate a gradual transition toward localized supply chains to reduce lead times and improve casting quality control.

Ceramic Foam Market Production Trend and Capacity Expansion

The Ceramic Foam Market is witnessing steady increases in Ceramic Foam production driven by growing metallurgical filtration needs and industrial expansion. Global Ceramic Foam production is estimated at approximately 148 million units in 2025, projected to reach nearly 226 million units by 2032.

Ceramic Foam production capacity expansion is particularly visible in Asia, where Ceramic Foam production is increasing at approximately 8.2% annually. For instance, new kiln installations and automated replication processes are improving Ceramic Foam production efficiency by nearly 13%.

In Europe, Ceramic Foam production is shifting toward customized filtration products, with nearly 37% of Ceramic Foam production focused on high-temperature specialty applications.

North American Ceramic Foam production is increasingly focused on energy-efficient kilns, reducing manufacturing energy consumption by approximately 10% per unit produced.

Technological upgrades are also improving Ceramic Foam production yields. For instance, improved slurry coating methods have increased Ceramic Foam production consistency by nearly 16%, reducing defective output.

Overall, Ceramic Foam production growth reflects parallel expansion in metal casting, environmental engineering, and advanced ceramics industries.

Ceramic Foam Market Segmentation by Material Type

Material segmentation within the Ceramic Foam Market reflects performance requirements such as thermal resistance, mechanical strength, and chemical compatibility.

Silicon carbide ceramic foams dominate due to high thermal shock resistance. In 2025, silicon carbide accounts for approximately 34% of Ceramic Foam Market revenue.

Alumina ceramic foams follow with nearly 29% share, widely used in steel casting filtration. Zirconia ceramic foams contribute about 18%, particularly in high-temperature alloy processing.

Material segmentation growth rates show:

• Silicon carbide demand growing 7.8% annually
• Alumina demand growing 6.9% annually
• Zirconia demand growing 8.4% annually

For instance, zirconia ceramic foams are increasingly used in aerospace superalloy filtration where operating temperatures exceed 1700°C.

Material innovation continues to diversify Ceramic Foam Market product offerings, improving application-specific performance.

Segmentation highlights:

• Silicon carbide – 34% share
• Alumina – 29% share
• Zirconia – 18% share
• Other ceramics – 19% share

Ceramic Foam Market Segmentation by Application Areas

Application segmentation shows metallurgical filtration dominating the Ceramic Foam Market due to its critical role in defect reduction.

Metal casting filtration contributes approximately 59% of Ceramic Foam Market demand in 2025. Environmental applications contribute 17%, catalyst supports 13%, and thermal insulation around 11%.

For example, aluminum casting filtration penetration exceeds 68% of large foundries, compared to about 52% in 2020, showing rapid adoption.

Environmental applications are expanding faster. For instance:

• Industrial emission filtration demand growing 9% annually
• Catalyst support demand growing 8.5% annually
• Chemical processing filtration growing 7% annually

Segmentation highlights:

• Metallurgical filtration – 59%
• Environmental filtration – 17%
• Catalyst carriers – 13%
• Thermal insulation – 11%

This segmentation shows how the Ceramic Foam Market is gradually diversifying beyond traditional casting applications.

Ceramic Foam Market Segmentation by End-Use Industries

End-use segmentation highlights automotive, metallurgy, energy, and chemical industries as primary consumers.

Automotive contributes nearly 31% of Ceramic Foam Market consumption, followed by metallurgy at 27%, energy at 16%, chemicals at 14%, and other sectors at 12%.

For instance, growth in EV manufacturing is increasing demand for aluminum filtration products. Automotive casting demand is expected to grow 14% between 2025 and 2028, strengthening Ceramic Foam Market demand.

Energy sector growth is also significant. For example:

• Wind component casting demand growing 12% annually
• Solar glass manufacturing growing 9% annually
• Hydrogen processing equipment demand growing 15% annually

Segmentation highlights:

• Automotive – 31%
• Metallurgy – 27%
• Energy – 16%
• Chemicals – 14%
• Others – 12%

These patterns show the Ceramic Foam Market evolving alongside industrial transformation.

Ceramic Foam Market Pricing Structure Analysis

Pricing in the Ceramic Foam Market varies based on pore density, material composition, and thermal performance. In 2025, average Ceramic Foam Price ranges between USD 8 and USD 65 per unit depending on specifications.

For instance:

• Standard alumina filters range between USD 8–18
• Silicon carbide filters range between USD 15–42
• Zirconia specialty filters range between USD 38–65

The Ceramic Foam Price structure is influenced by raw material costs. Silicon carbide powder prices increased approximately 6% between 2024 and 2026, slightly affecting Ceramic Foam Price levels.

Manufacturing automation is partially offsetting cost increases. For instance, production efficiency improvements have reduced unit processing costs by approximately 5%, stabilizing Ceramic Foam Price increases.

Bulk purchasing contracts in automotive foundries often reduce Ceramic Foam Price by 9–14%, depending on volume agreements.

Ceramic Foam Price Trend and Cost Movement Dynamics

The Ceramic Foam Price Trend shows moderate upward movement due to energy costs and raw material pricing pressures. Between 2025 and 2028, Ceramic Foam Price Trend projections indicate annual price increases of approximately 3.2%.

Energy costs account for nearly 28% of Ceramic Foam manufacturing costs, making Ceramic Foam Price Trend sensitive to electricity and gas pricing fluctuations.

For example:

• Industrial electricity costs projected to increase 4% annually
• Refractory material costs increasing 3–5% annually
• Logistics costs rising approximately 2.8% annually

However, automation is moderating Ceramic Foam Price Trend increases. Robotic dipping and firing automation is projected to reduce labor costs by 12% by 2029, helping balance Ceramic Foam Price increases.

Premium products are seeing faster Ceramic Foam Price Trend growth. High-purity zirconia filters are projected to see price increases of 4.6% annually, compared to standard products at 2.9%.

The Ceramic Foam Price Trend therefore reflects a balance between cost inflation and manufacturing efficiency gains.

Ceramic Foam Market Trade Flow and Supply Chain Structure

The Ceramic Foam Market supply chain shows increasing regionalization due to supply chain resilience strategies. Approximately 36% of ceramic foam products are traded internationally, while 64% are consumed domestically within production regions.

For instance, Asia exports nearly 29% of its ceramic foam output, mainly to Europe and North America. Meanwhile, Europe imports approximately 22% of its ceramic foam requirements, particularly for standard filtration products.

Supply chain localization is increasing. For example:

• Foundries increasingly sourcing locally to reduce delivery times by 18%
• Safety stock inventory levels increasing by 11%
• Supplier diversification increasing by 9%

These adjustments are strengthening Ceramic Foam Market stability by reducing supply disruptions.

Ceramic Foam Market Future Demand and Pricing Outlook

Future outlook indicators suggest continued expansion of the Ceramic Foam Market supported by manufacturing quality upgrades and environmental compliance requirements.

Demand is expected to grow strongest in:

• EV casting filtration (16% growth)
• Hydrogen processing ceramics (14% growth)
• Industrial emission filtration (**10% growth)

Meanwhile, Ceramic Foam Price is expected to remain moderately inflationary, with Ceramic Foam Price Trend increases likely to remain within 2.5–4% annually through 2030 as production scale improves.

For example, scale economies are projected to reduce unit manufacturing costs by approximately 7% by 2030, helping moderate Ceramic Foam Price escalation.

The Ceramic Foam Market is therefore expected to remain structurally supported by industrial modernization, clean energy investment, and materials engineering advancements, ensuring stable long-term demand growth.

Ceramic Foam Market Leading Manufacturers Overview

The Ceramic Foam Market is characterized by the presence of global filtration technology providers, specialized advanced ceramics companies, and regional manufacturers supplying standard filtration grades. The competitive environment reflects a balance between technology leadership and cost competitiveness, with the top five manufacturers controlling nearly 42–48% of the Ceramic Foam Market, while regional companies account for the remaining share.

The Ceramic Foam Market is driven by companies focusing on high-temperature filtration performance, pore structure uniformity, and customized solutions for aluminum, steel, and specialty alloy casting. Companies with strong R&D capabilities are gaining share because casting industries increasingly prioritize defect reduction and productivity improvements.

Major participants shaping the Ceramic Foam Market include SELEE Corporation, Pyrotek, Vesuvius (Foseco division), LANIK, Drache Umwelttechnik, ERG Aerospace, Filtec Precision Ceramics, Induceramic, and several Asian ceramic filtration producers.

Competition is increasingly shifting toward application engineering, where manufacturers provide technical filtration optimization support rather than only supplying consumable filters.

Ceramic Foam Market Share by Leading Manufacturers

The Ceramic Foam Market shows moderate fragmentation with a clear performance gap between premium filtration providers and commodity product suppliers. Premium manufacturers typically dominate aerospace and specialty alloy applications, while regional companies supply automotive and general foundry sectors.

Estimated Ceramic Foam Market share distribution among leading companies shows:

SELEE Corporation holds approximately 11–13% Ceramic Foam Market share supported by strong penetration in aluminum and aerospace casting filtration.

Vesuvius Group accounts for roughly 9–11% Ceramic Foam Market share, largely driven by steel filtration and integrated foundry solutions.

Pyrotek maintains nearly 8–10% share through aluminum filtration technologies and molten metal treatment systems.

LANIK contributes around 6–8% share, particularly in European industrial filtration markets.

Drache Umwelttechnik holds approximately 5–7% share, focusing on high-temperature ceramic filtration.

Mid-tier manufacturers collectively represent around 14–18% of the Ceramic Foam Market, while smaller regional companies together hold nearly 30–35%.

This distribution highlights the Ceramic Foam Market structure where technical specialization allows global companies to maintain pricing premiums of 10–22% compared to standard products.

Ceramic Foam Market Manufacturer Product Differentiation Strategies

Product differentiation remains one of the most important competitive factors within the Ceramic Foam Market. Manufacturers focus on improving filtration precision, thermal durability, and chemical resistance.

For instance, SELEE Corporation focuses on high purity alumina and zirconia ceramic foam filters designed for aerospace casting and lithium alloy processing. Their filtration products are designed to reduce inclusions and improve casting yield efficiency by nearly 15–20%.

Pyrotek differentiates through its Pyropore and SIVEX product families, which are widely used in aluminum processing. These products emphasize controlled pore distribution and high mechanical strength, supporting higher casting productivity.

Vesuvius focuses on integrated metallurgy solutions, combining ceramic foam filters with refractory systems and melt treatment solutions. This strategy helps increase long-term supply agreements with steel producers.

LANIK specializes in customized ceramic foam designs where pore density can be adjusted depending on casting flow requirements. This approach is particularly useful in precision industrial casting.

Drache Umwelttechnik focuses on environmental ceramic foams and high-temperature industrial filters capable of operating in extreme process conditions.

Such differentiation strategies demonstrate how innovation continues to shape the Ceramic Foam Market competitive landscape.

Ceramic Foam Market Regional Manufacturer Competitive Positioning

Regional manufacturers are becoming increasingly important in the Ceramic Foam Market due to cost advantages and proximity to foundry clusters. Asian manufacturers particularly in China and India are expanding production capacity to serve local casting industries.

These companies typically compete through:

Lower production costs supported by local raw material availability
Flexible production volumes for mid-sized foundries
Faster delivery cycles compared to imported products
Competitive pricing advantages of 12–20%

For example, regional suppliers are increasingly providing alumina ceramic foam filters for automotive casting at lower price points, allowing them to capture growing demand from tier-2 automotive suppliers.

At the same time, premium manufacturers continue to dominate high-specification applications such as aerospace alloys and high-performance steels, where product reliability outweighs price sensitivity.

This dual structure is expected to remain a defining feature of the Ceramic Foam Market.

Ceramic Foam Market Share Growth Strategies Among Key Players

Leading manufacturers in the Ceramic Foam Market are focusing on four major strategies to increase market share.

Technology development remains the primary strategy. Companies are improving pore uniformity and developing hybrid ceramic compositions capable of improving filtration performance by 12–18%.

Capacity expansion is another key strategy. Manufacturers are increasing kiln capacity and automation levels to support growing automotive casting demand. Production automation is improving manufacturing throughput by nearly 10–14%.

Application diversification is becoming increasingly important. Companies are expanding ceramic foam use into catalyst supports, emission control systems, and hydrogen processing equipment.

Customer integration strategies are also growing. Long-term supply agreements with automotive and industrial casting companies are helping stabilize revenue streams.

These strategies are strengthening competitive positioning and shaping long-term Ceramic Foam Market evolution.

Ceramic Foam Market Innovation Focus Among Manufacturers

Innovation investments are increasingly defining competitive advantage within the Ceramic Foam Market. Manufacturers are focusing on advanced ceramic engineering to improve durability and filtration precision.

Recent product innovation areas include:

Nano-coated ceramic foam filters improving mechanical durability by nearly 18%

Multi-layer pore structures improving filtration efficiency by approximately 16%

Lightweight ceramic foam designs reducing material usage by nearly 9%

Energy efficient firing processes reducing manufacturing costs by around 7%

Digital quality control systems are also becoming common. Smart inspection technologies are improving product consistency and reducing defect rates by nearly 11%.

Such technological developments demonstrate how performance improvements remain central to Ceramic Foam Market competition.

Ceramic Foam Market Recent Industry Developments

Recent developments in the Ceramic Foam Market show increased focus on production efficiency, sustainability, and product performance improvements.

2026 developments

Manufacturers are investing in higher porosity ceramic foam designs capable of improving molten metal flow efficiency. Several companies have introduced next-generation silicon carbide filters designed for improved thermal shock resistance.

Expansion of production automation programs is also visible, particularly among Asian manufacturers seeking to improve export competitiveness.

2025 developments

Major filtration companies expanded distribution partnerships with automotive casting suppliers to support electric vehicle production growth.

New product variants designed for hydrogen processing equipment entered pilot production as part of diversification strategies.

Several manufacturers introduced improved alumina ceramic foam filters with longer operational life cycles to reduce foundry operating costs.

2024 developments

Manufacturers focused on sustainability initiatives including kiln efficiency improvements and reduced carbon processing methods.

Development of graded pore ceramic filters improved filtration efficiency in high-precision casting.

Strategic partnerships between ceramic material suppliers and foundry engineering companies increased technical collaboration.