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The global 3D printing market size is projected to grow from US$18.5 billion in 2024 to US$93.7 billion by 2035, representing a CAGR of 20.6%, during the forecast period, 2024-2035.
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The new research study consists of global 3D printing industry trends, detailed market analysis of leading 3D printing product providers, Porter’s five forces analysis, megatrends analysis and market impact analysis. The report includes 3D printing market forecast and opportunity analysis.
Industry 4.0 is changing the way manufacturing, production, and global businesses operate through the use of smart computers and connected devices. 3D printing is amongst some of the advancements the field of manufacturing has witnessed, adding on to the novelty of different technologies used. Also known as additive manufacturing, 3D printing enables producing three dimensional objects using digital files. The process of generating a 3D printed object involves an additive process under which the structure is created by clustering successive layers on top of each other. These layers resemble a thinly sliced cross section of the structure which is presented within the digital file. A 3D printer provides quick turnaround times, low initial costs of setup, and the ability to develop complicated shapes. This technology is widely being used in various industrial applications, such as dental 3D printing, aerospace 3D printing and automotive 3D printing.
It is worth highlighting that 3D printers are significantly used for rapid prototyping. In the early 1980s, 3D printing technologies emerged as a promising solution for designing prototypes of production parts in relatively shorter periods of time. However, this technology has evolved to develop various light weight parts for the aviation and space industries. Over the decades, the accuracy, replicability, and the range of 3D printing materials used for 3D printing have improved significantly. Emerging aerospace applications like the 3D printed drones are showcasing how additive manufacturing is reshaping UAV design and speed to market
Despite the various improvements and applications, the field has witnessed, the 3D printing industry is not without its challenges. Presently, the industry requires a well-established regulatory framework in order to protect the innovators and their products. Further, the industry faces restraints pertaining to copyright and intellectual property, particularly with the ease of replication and distribution. Although the domain has certain challenges, 3D printers are expected to be incorporated across more industrial applications driving the market ahead.
The 3D printing market research report presents an in-depth analysis of various leading players involved in providing innovative 3D printers, printing materials and technologies, across different segments, as defined in the table below:
| Key Report Attributes | Details | |
| Historical Trend | 2018-2023 | |
| Base Year | 2023 | |
| Forecast Period | 2024-2035 | |
| Market Size Value in 2024 | $ 18.5 Billion | |
| Market Size Value by 2035 | $ 93.7 Billion | |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 20.6% from 2024 to 2035 | |
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| Type of Printer |
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| Printing Orientation |
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| Type of Software |
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| Type of Material |
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| Process |
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| Application |
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| End-User |
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| Geography |
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| Key Companies Profiled in the 3D Printing Market |
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| PowerPoint Presentation (Complimentary) |
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| Customization Scope | 15% Free Customization | |
| Excel Data Packs (Complimentary) |
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One of the key objectives of this market report was to estimate the current market value, opportunity and the future growth potential of the product manufacturers in the global 3D printing market, over the forecast period. Based on multiple parameters, likely adoption trends and through primary / secondary validations, we have provided an informed estimate on the market evolution during the forecast period 2024-2035.
The market report also features the likely distribution of the current and forecasted opportunity for manufacturers in the global 3D printing market across various segments, such as type of offering (printers, materials, software and services), by type of printer (desktop 3D printer and industrial 3D printer), by type of connectivity (networked / cloud-connected 3D printers and standalone 3D printers), by type of automation (automated 3D printing systems and manual 3D printing systems), by printing orientation (horizontal 3D printing, vertical 3D printing and angled 3D printing), by technology (stereolithography, fused deposition modelling, selective laser sintering and direct metal laser sintering), by type of software (design software, inspection software, printer software and scanning software), by type of material (metals, plastics and ceramics), by process (powder bed fusion, vat photopolymerization, binder jetting and material extrusion), by application (prototyping, tooling and functional parts manufacturing), by end-user (automotive industry, aerospace and defense industry, healthcare industry, consumer goods industry and others) and geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East and Africa). In order to account for future uncertainties associated with some of the key parameters and to add robustness to our model, we have provided three 3D printing market forecast scenarios, namely conservative, base, and optimistic scenarios, representing different tracks of the industry’s evolution.
All actual figures have been sourced and analyzed from publicly available information forums and primary research discussions. Financial figures mentioned in this market report are in USD, unless otherwise specified.
The global 3D printing market is segmented into different types of offerings, such as printers, materials, software and services. Currently, printers are expected to capture the highest share in the 3D printing market and this trend is likely to remain same during the forecast period. Companies, including BigRep and WASP have developed portable 3D printers which offer continuous operation capability, providing shorter time durations for different applications. These kinds of innovations are further expected to drive the market for printers in the foreseen future as well.
The global 3D printing market is segmented into two different types of printers, namely desktop 3D printers and industrial 3D printers. Presently, industrial 3D printers are expected to capture the highest share. This can be attributed to the increasing application of 3D printers across various different industries, including aerospace and consumer goods industry to manufacture light weight production parts.
The global 3D printing market is segmented into two different types of printers based on connectivity, namely network / cloud-connected 3D printers and standalone 3D printers. Presently, standalone 3D printers are expected to capture the highest share. This can be attributed to the fact that standalone 3D printers do not rely on internet connectivity and can be deployed for quick prototyping applications. Further, majority of the networked / cloud-connected 3D printers require subscription to a cloud server, increasing the cost of additive manufacturing protocols.
The global 3D printing market is segmented into two different types of printing systems based on automation, namely automated 3D printing systems and manual 3D printing systems. Presently, manual 3D printers are expected to capture the highest share. However, automated 3D printers offer automatic levelling of the printing bed with high precision and more accurate results. Owing to this, automated 3D printing systems are expected to grow at a relatively higher CAGR during the forecast period.
The global 3D printing market is segmented into different printing orientations used by the printers, namely horizontal 3D printing, vertical 3D printing and manual 3D printing. Presently, horizontal 3D printing is expected to capture the highest share in the market and this trend is likely to remain the same during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the fact that horizontal printing takes significantly less time to print owing to the reduced number of layers to be printed.
The global 3D printing industry is segmented into different technologies, such as stereolithography, fused deposition modelling, selective laser sintering and direct metal laser sintering. Currently, fused deposition modelling (FDM) captures the highest share in the 3D printing market. This can be attributed to the flexibility offered by FDM technologies, in terms of the type of material used, printing time and the replicability of the application.
The global 3D printing industry is segmented into different types of materials, such as metals, plastics and ceramics. Currently, metals capture the highest share in the 3D printing market and this trend is likely to remain the same during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the fact that various metals are utilized for light weight product parts for the different industries which are opting 3D printing applications for quick turnaround times and cheaper costs. Further, the market for plastics / polymers for 3D printing applications is expected to grow at a relatively higher CAGR during the forecast period.
The global 3D printing industry is segmented into different types of software, such as design software, inspection software, printer software and scanning software. In 2024, design software capture the highest share in the 3D printing market and this trend is likely to remain the same during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the fact that design software acts as a link between the hardware and the printing software, providing flexibility to the user to create innovative and intricate designs to be printed.
The global 3D printing industry is segmented into different types of processes, such as powder bed fusion, vat photopolymerization, binder jetting and material extrusion. Currently, powder bed fusion (PBF) captures the highest share in the 3D printing market and this trend is likely to remain same during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the fact that PBF is inexpensive, suitable for visual models and prototypes, incorporates diverse variety of material options and the ability to integrate different printing technologies into small scale machines. ,
The global 3D printing industry is segmented into different application areas, such as prototyping, tooling and functional parts manufacturing. Currently, prototyping captures the highest share in the 3D printing market and this trend is likely to remain same during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the fact that using 3D printing for rapid prototyping applications provides a cost-effective alternative for different industries. It reduces labour costs and further minimizes waste production during prototyping of production parts.
This segment highlights the distribution of the global 3D printing industry across various geographies, such as North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. According to our projections, presently, North America captures the majority share of the market opportunity. It is worth highlighting that the 3D printing market in Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at a relatively higher CAGR, during the forecast period, 2024-2035.
The “3D Printing Market: Industry Trends and Global Forecasts, till 2035” market report features an extensive study of the current market size and future opportunities associated with companies within the 3D printing industry, during the given forecast period. The market report highlights the 3D printing market analysis. Key takeaways of the 3D printing market report are briefly discussed below.
The global 3D printing market size growth is primarily attributed to the increasing adoption of 3D printers for producing complex parts and prototypes across various industries, including consumer products and the healthcare industry over the last few years. The pandemic has led to a profound increase in the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) across the healthcare sector, utilizing 3D printers to manufacture the same provides a contact-less approach, which is cost-effective as well as less time consuming. Further, the aerospace and automotive industries have started using 3D printing technologies for manufacturing light weight parts for aircrafts and vehicles which is propelling the market ahead.
Presently, majority of the market share is captured by North America. The higher demand for 3D printing in North America is attributed to the extensive adoption of additive manufacturing technologies in the region. However, the market for this technology in Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at a relatively higher CAGR, during the forecast period.
Examples of key companies involved in the global 3D printing industry (which have also been captured in this market report, arranged in alphabetical order) include 3D Systems, 3DCeram, Arcam, Autodesk, Canon, Carbon, Dassault Systemes, Desktop Metal, EnvisionTec, EOS, ExOne, Formlabs, GE Additive, Höganäs, HP Development, madeinspace.us, Markforged, Materialise, Nano Dimension and Nexa3D. This market report includes an easily searchable excel database for the leading companies offering 3D printers along with information on their product portfolios.
Several recent developments have taken place in the market, some of which have been outlined below.