Global 3D Printing by Country, Product and Market, 2nd Edition

Report Overview

Cutting Costs and Time to Market Driving Ongoing 3D Printing Boom

Adoption of 3D printers will continue to be spurred by the numerous advantages they offer, including ease of customization, the possibility of complex geometries to increase part performance, and more rapid time to market.

Key Findings in the Global 3D Printing Markets Study:

3D Printers Take Flight with Aerospace

3D printing is approaching an inflection point in a number of industries, where its advantages can beat traditional production techniques on cost. Aerospace manufacturers require parts in small quantities that are made of specialty materials. These parts also need to be produced at a light weight with high strength using complicated geometries.

3D printing offers all these advantages, and metal printing has improved enough in recent years that part quality is consistent enough to pass stringent aerospace safety requirements.

Plastics, Metals, Even Human Tissue Driving 3D Printing Adoption Across Markets

Metals will continue to record extraordinary growth through 2021, stimulated by adoption in aerospace, as well as healthcare, mold, and tooling applications. In order to remain competitive with metals, polymer materials suppliers are constantly improving well known 3D printing plastics (such as polyamide), as well as finding new ways to print other plastics (such as fluorinated polymers or silicones).

Outside of typical 3D printing materials, bioprinting technology is gaining strength as a number of researchers and companies seek to commercialize the printing of viable tissue.

Disruptive Potential from New Market Entrants GE and HP

Neither GE nor HP was involved in the 3D printing industry at the supplier level until 2016. Since then, however, both companies have expressed their determination to expand 3D printing into production applications. GE focuses on metal printing via its acquisitions of Arcam and Concept Laser, while HP has entered the polymer printing segment via its introduction and deployment of its HP Multi Jet Fusion printer.

Study Coverage

This study provides data for the major products (printers, materials, software & other) and markets (transportation equipment, medical & dental, consumer & education, and other) on a country-by-country basis, with more detailed information provided at the global level. Historical data is given for 2006, 2011, and 2016, and forecasts for 2021 are presented. The study also evaluates company market share and provides analysis on industry leaders such as EnvisionTEC, EOS, ExOne, GE, HP, Siemens, Stratasys, and 3D Systems.

Global sales of 3D printing products (including printers, materials, and software) are projected to grow 25% annually through 2021 to $9.4 billion, spurred by the numerous advantages they offer, including ease of customization, the possibility of complex geometries to increase part performance, and more rapid time to market. Metals will continue to record extraordinary growth through 2021, stimulated by adoption in aerospace, as well as healthcare, mold, and tooling applications.

This study provides data for the major products (printers, materials, software & other) and markets (transportation equipment, medical & dental, consumer & education, and other) on a country-by-country basis, with more detailed information provided at the global level. Historical data is given for 2006, 2011, and 2016, and forecasts for 2021 are presented. The study also evaluates company market share and provides analysis on industry leaders such as EnvisionTEC, EOS, ExOne, GE, HP, Siemens, Stratasys, and 3D Systems.

This study analyzes the global three-dimensional (3D) printing (also known as additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping, or direct manufacturing) industry. Excluded from the scope of the study are 3D products that are manufactured using 3D printing. Also excluded are consumer 3D printing services (such as those that allow individual customers to upload their 3D designs online and then have their 3D printed items shipped to them).

Markets analyzed include transportation equipment, medical and dental, consumer and education, and other markets (e.g., construction, electronics). Products include printers, materials, and software and other products.