Global 3D Printing Market By Material Type (Plastics, Metals, Ceramics, Composites, Biomaterials, and Others), Technology (Stereolithography, Fused Deposition Modeling, Selective Laser Sintering, Selective Laser Melting, Electronic Beam Melting, and Others), Vertical (Aerospace and Defense, Automotive, Healthcare, Construction, Food & Beverages, and Others) and Region - Market Share, Trend Analysis, Competitive Intelligence, Historical Data, and Forecast 2023 - 2030

Market Perspective

The global 3D Printing Market was valued at USD 18.56 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 85.98 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 21.62% from 2023 to 2030.

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is revolutionizing industries across the globe. It is a process that involves creating three-dimensional objects by layering materials based on a digital design. This innovative technology has gained massive popularity due to its numerous benefits and applications.

One of the key advantages of 3D printing is its ability to enable rapid prototyping and product development. Traditional manufacturing methods often involve time-consuming and costly processes to create prototypes. With 3D printing, designers and engineers can quickly transform their ideas into physical objects, allowing for faster iterations and improvements. This accelerated prototyping process provides businesses with a competitive edge by reducing time to market and facilitating innovation. This process involves the deposition of material, such as plastic, metal, or biological materials, to build intricate and customized objects. Its applications are vast and diverse, ranging from rapid prototyping and product development in industries like aerospace and automotive to creating intricate medical implants and fashion accessories.

Technologies in 3D printing include Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), and others. Market trends in 3D printing indicate a steady growth trajectory, driven by increasing adoption in the manufacturing, healthcare, and consumer sectors. The industry is witnessing notable advancements in materials, increased speed and precision of the process, and a growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable 3D printing processes.

Key Insights

• Based on material type, the plastics segment acquired the largest market share in 2022
• Based on technology, the selective laser sintering segment captured the largest industry share in 2022
• Based on vertical, the automotive segment held the largest market share in 2022
• On the basis of region, North America accounted for the largest market share in 2022

Rapid Prototyping and Product Development Drive 3D Printing Market Growth

Facilitating rapid prototyping and product development processes is one of the primary catalysts for the growth of the global 3D printing market. Businesses across various industries are increasingly using 3D printing technology to accelerate product development. This technology allows for quick and cost-effective creation of prototypes, reducing the time to market for new products. Companies can iterate and refine designs faster, leading to better products and increased competitiveness. This driver is particularly crucial in industries like aerospace and automotive, where reducing development time is a strategic advantage.

Material Limitations Hindering 3D Printing Market Expansion Hinders the Market Expansion

Material limitations pose a prominent barrier to further development. While advancements have been made in 3D printing materials, industries such as aerospace and medical demand materials with specific properties that are still hard to achieve. For example, aerospace requires materials with exceptional durability, while the medical sector seeks biocompatible materials. The search for suitable materials that meet these stringent requirements hampers the wider adoption of 3D printing. Additionally, the cost of specialized materials is high, impacting the overall cost-effectiveness of 3D printing in certain applications.

Segmentation Analysis

Based on material type, the market is categorized into plastics, metals, ceramics, composites, biomaterials, and others. The plastics segment garnered the highest revenue in 2022 due to its rising demand in IT companies. Plastics are preferred in the 3D printing industry due to their ability to provide reliable transmission of data and support high bandwidth requirements. As IT companies generate and process large amounts of data, the need for efficient and robust cabling infrastructure becomes crucial. Moreover, this growth is driven by factors such as the rising need for higher bandwidth, rapid digitization, and the construction of data centers. For instance, in April 2022, ABB India inaugurated its newly expanded Digital Substation Products and Digital Systems manufacturing facility in Gujarat, India. This establishment is set to address the growing need for digital substation products and solutions in India as well as 50 other countries.

Based on technology, the market is categorized into stereolithography, fused deposition modeling, selective laser sintering, selective laser melting, electronic beam melting, and others. The selective laser sintering segment dominated the market in 2022 owing to its versatility and suitability for a wide range of materials and applications. Selective laser sintering (SLS) is a 3D printing technique that uses a high-power laser to selectively fuse powdered materials, such as polymers, metals, and ceramics, layer by layer to create 3D objects. Furthermore, advancements in SLS technology, such as improvements in laser power and scanning capabilities, have enhanced the speed, resolution, and accuracy of printing, expanding its applicability to a wider range of industries and applications. Additionally, the development of new materials compatible with SLS printers has further fueled its adoption in various sectors, contributing to its dominant position in the global 3D printing market.

North America Leads Global Market Owing to Early Adoption of Advanced Technologies

North America has emerged as the dominating region in the 3D printing market, holding a substantial market share in 2022. This dominance can be attributed to several factors, including a strong presence of key players, a robust ecosystem of research and development, and a high level of technological adoption across various industries. Furthermore, government initiatives and investments in additive manufacturing technologies have contributed to the region's leadership. The region is expected to maintain its leadership position in the global 3D printing market. The region's emphasis on innovation, technological advancements, and collaborative efforts between academia and industry will continue to drive its growth in the coming years.

Asia Pacific to Witness Fastest Growth Backed by Expanding Manufacturing Sector

The Asia Pacific 3D printing market is poised to witness significant growth through the forecast period primarily driven by the region's expanding manufacturing sector. Countries like China, Japan, and South Korea are investing heavily in 3D printing technology to enhance their manufacturing capabilities and remain competitive on a global scale. Additionally, the region's increasing focus on healthcare, automotive, and aerospace industries is fueling the demand for 3D printing applications in prototyping, customization, and production. Asia Pacific's strategic position as a manufacturing hub, coupled with growing investments and technological advancements, is slated to fuel regional 3D printing market expansion in the near future.

Competitive Landscape

The global 3D printing is fragmented with key players such as 3D Systems Corporation, Stratasys Ltd., ExOne Company, Materialise NV, HP Inc., EOS GmbH, General Electric Company, SLM Solutions Group AG, EnvisionTEC GmbH, Carbon, Inc., Desktop Metal, Inc., Formlabs Inc., Ultimaker BV, Renishaw plc, Markforged, Inc, amongst others. Companies employ a variety of strategic measures such as acquisitions, mergers, partnerships, product introductions, and collaborations to expand their business globally and enhance their competitive position.

The global 3D Printing Market is segmented as follows:

By Material Type

• Plastics
• Metals
• Ceramics
• Composites
• Biomaterials
• Others

By Technology

• Stereolithography
• Fused Deposition Modeling
• Selective Laser Sintering
• Selective Laser Melting
• Electronic Beam Melting
• Others

By Vertical

• Aerospace and Defense
• Automotive
• Healthcare
• Construction
• Food & Beverages
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • France
  • UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • North Africa
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America