Commercialization of aerogels has been slow due to several factors inc
luding cost and manufacturability issues. The technology itself is wel
l enough developed as a result of extensive work over the past decade
by an international community of researchers. Several substantial mark
ets appear to exist for aerogels as thermal and sound insulator, if pr
oduction costs can keep prices in line with competing established mate
rials. In the present paper, the elements identified as key cost drive
rs are discussed, and a prognosis for the evolution of the technology
leading to reduced cost aerogel production is given.