Global 3D Printed Electronics Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032

Global 3D Printed Electronics Market Size

The global market for 3D printed electronics was approximately USD 0.54 billion in 2023. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 26.2% between 2024 and 2032, reaching a value of around USD 4.4 billion by 2032.

3D Printed Electronics Market Growth

The integration of 3D printing and printed electronics gives rise to an emerging technology known as 3D printed electronics. Electronic circuits are developed using printed-electronics technologies as part of the 3D-printing production process, incorporating them directly into structural components. The printing process can be extended up to 10,000 cm3 of integrated electronics per hour, making it a faster technique than inkjet and dispensing technologies.

The increasing adoption of Industry 4.0 strategies by various consumer electronics manufacturers is aiding the growth of the 3D printed electronics market. The absence of tooling requirements, fixed costs and lead time, and eradication of traditional DFM constraints are enabling the development of customisable and modular consumer electronics.

3D Printed Electronics Market Trends

Manufacturers are increasingly adopting 3D printing as it offers the benefit of simplified and reduced outsourcing, further lowering associated costs of delivery and shipping. The growing adoption of 3D printing to reduce warehousing and distribution costs due to on-demand manufacturing is further fuelling the 3D printed electronics demand.

3D printing facilitates a quicker turnaround of design iterations, hastening the design validation stage. Electronic manufacturers gain a competitive advantage and achieve a flexible manufacturing process by developing electronic goods much faster.

Recent Developments

As per the 3D printed electronics market analysis, DuPont announced in July 2021 that it aims to complete the acquisition of Laird Performance Materials, a provider of high-end electromagnetic shielding solutions. This acquisition was expected to make DuPont a global leader in electronic OEMS.

Industry Outlook

As per the industry reports for India, total passenger vehicle sales increased from 30,69,523 to 38,90,114 units in 2022-23 compared to the previous term. The sales of utility vehicles rose from 14,89,219 to 20,03,718, whereas van sales rose from 1,13,265 to 1,39,020 units. The sales of commercial vehicles, on the other hand, rose from 7,16,566 to 9,62,468 units in 2022-23. This growth in the automotive sector is expected to bolster the growth of the 3D printed electronics industry for development of the auto parts.

According to the 3D printed electronics industry analysis, Space Foundry, based in California, took the assistance of NASA for funding and technologies in the development of a plasma-based 3D printing process for electronics in January 2022. Under this process, there is no requirement for heat or ultraviolet curing, which saves a lot of time. In this process, the ink is aerosolised and then broken apart by the plasma for the creation of positive and negative ions. The Ames Research Center of NASA has offered the company four SBIR contracts for testing this new technology.

Moreover, a team of MIT researchers modified a multi-material 3D printer so it can produce 3-D solenoids in a single step with the help of three different materials. This innovation can reduce manufacturing cost and waste and allow people with limited resources to develop a machine, which can contribute to the overall 3D printed electronics industry revenue.

Factors Contributing to the Growth of the Global Market Driven by Technological Advancements and Customization Demand

• Technological Advancements: Continuous innovations in 3D printing technologies enhancing precision, speed, and material range.

• Customization Demand: Increasing demand for customized electronic components in various industries such as healthcare, aerospace, and consumer electronics aids 3D printed electronics demand growth. 

• Cost Efficiency: Reduction in manufacturing costs due to less material waste and lower labour costs.

• Rapid Prototyping: Ability to quickly produce prototypes for testing and development purposes.

• Design Flexibility: Enhanced design flexibility allowing for complex geometries and integrated functionalities.

Challenges Impacting the Growth of the Global Market Include Material Limitations and Standardization Issues

• Material Limitations: Limited availability and high cost of specialized materials suitable for 3D printed electronics can negatively impact 3D printed electronics demand forecast.

• Standardization Issues: Lack of industry standards and regulations leading to inconsistencies in quality and performance.

• Technical Expertise: Requirement for high technical expertise and skilled workforce to operate 3D printing equipment.

• Production Speed: Slower production speed compared to traditional manufacturing methods for large-scale production.

• Initial Investment: High initial investment costs for 3D printing equipment and technology.

Opportunities in the Global Market Driven by Emerging Applications and Market Expansion

• Emerging Applications: Growing applications in emerging fields such as IoT devices, wearable technology, and medical devices boost the demand of 3D printed electronics market.

• Market Expansion: Expansion into new markets and industries with increasing adoption of 3D printed electronics.

• Partnerships and Collaborations: Opportunities for partnerships and collaborations to enhance technological capabilities and market reach.

• Eco-Friendly Solutions: Development of eco-friendly and sustainable 3D printing materials and processes.

• Government Support: Increasing government support and funding for research and development in 3D printing technologies.

Setbacks Faced by the Global 3D Printed Electronics Market Due to Economic Uncertainties and Technological Barriers

• Economic Uncertainties: Economic fluctuations and uncertainties impacting investment and adoption rates can reduce 3D printed electronics market opportunities.

• Technological Barriers: Ongoing technological challenges in achieving desired precision and reliability.

• Intellectual Property Issues: Concerns over intellectual property rights and potential for counterfeiting.

• Market Awareness: Limited awareness and understanding of 3D printed electronics among potential users.

• Competition: Intense competition from traditional manufacturing methods and other emerging technologies.  

Key Price Indicators in the 3D Printed Electronics Market

• Material Costs: The price of specialized materials used in 3D printed electronics, such as conductive inks, polymers, and metals, directly impacts production costs and 3D printed electronics market value. 

• Equipment Costs: The initial investment and ongoing maintenance costs for advanced 3D printing equipment are significant. These costs are critical in determining the final price of 3D printed electronic components.

• R&D Investment: Continuous investment in research and development to innovate and improve 3D printing technologies impacts pricing. These costs can be passed on to consumers through higher prices for cutting-edge products.

• Labor Costs: The requirement for highly skilled technicians to operate 3D printing equipment and ensure quality control affects overall production costs. In regions with high labor costs, this can lead to increased product prices.

• Customization Fees: Offering customized solutions often incurs additional costs due to the need for specific design and production adjustments. These customization fees contribute to the overall price of 3D printed electronic components.

• Regulatory Compliance: Costs associated with meeting industry standards and regulatory requirements can influence pricing and 3D printed electronics market revenue. Ensuring compliance with safety and performance standards involves additional testing and certification expenses.

3D Printed Electronics Applications

The applications of electronics 3D printers, or 3D circuit printers, can be categorized by the type of printing and the specific fabricated components they produce.

Electronics 3D printers are typically capable of printing in up to three distinct ways:

1.    Full Electronics Printing: Certain 3D printers can create a fully three-dimensional structure from a dielectric (non-conductive) material while simultaneously printing conductive materials within that structure. As per the 3D printed electronics market dynamics and trends, this capability allows for the production of multi-layer PCBs and the embedding of electrical features within a thermoplastic structure.

2.    Surface Electronics Printing: Some 3D printers are designed to print electronics onto complex 3D substrates, facilitating the creation of intricate circuitry patterns. A developing trend in this area is printing onto flexible surfaces and textiles, as well as printing directly onto micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS).

3.    In-Mold Electronics Printing: Some 3D printers can print circuitry onto thermoformable substrates that are subsequently thermoformed, placed within an injection mold, and over-molded with molten plastic. This technique is sometimes referred to as film insert molding.   

3D Printed Electronics Industry Segmentations

Based on type, the market is segmented into antennas, sensors, and PCB, among others. On the basis of end users, the market can be divided into automotive, consumer electronics, aerospace and defence, healthcare, and telecommunication, among others. The major regional markets for 3D printed electronics are North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

The comprehensive EMR report provides an in-depth assessment of the market based on the Porter's five forces model along with giving a SWOT analysis. The report gives a detailed analysis of the following key players in the global 3D printed electronics market, covering their competitive landscape and latest developments like mergers, acquisitions, investments, and expansion plans.

• DuraTech Industries

• EOS GmbH

• Optomec, Inc

• Holst Centre

• Nano Dimension Ltd.

• Nscrypt, Inc.

• J.A.M.E.S GmbH

• Carbon Design Innovations, Inc.

• Others

3D Printed Electronics Market Share by End Users

3D printing is widely used in the development of consumer electronics due to its substantial advantages, particularly in prototyping and preparing for full-scale manufacturing. The adoption of 3D printing in consumer electronics eliminates repetitive etching, pressing, drilling, and finishing steps during fabrication. This further caters to a lowered time to print a fully functional board than traditional methods and can boost 3D printed electronics market development.

Manufacturers can print a single board or several variants in parallel with a 3D printer and test them immediately. This further aids designers and manufacturer to quickly diagnose functionality problems and determine required redesigns, further reducing the development time of new electronics.

3D Printed Electronics Market Regional Analysis

The Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold a significant portion of the global 3D printed electronics market share in the forecast period. This is due to the rapid adoption of 3D printing in electronics, fuelled by technological advancements, decreasing costs, and rising awareness regarding additive manufacturing’s potential.

Moreover, the region’s reliance on a supply chain that is majorly offshore is being reduced with the use of additive manufacturing for electronics. Manufacturers can develop their own products with minimum equipment and stock, without transport and cost and at schedules that meet the rising demand.

Competitive Landscape

DuraTech Industries, founded in 1977 and based in Wisconsin, the United States, is a custom graphics company. Its speciality includes screen printing, in-mould decorating, flexographic printing, digital printing, and die cutting, among others. The company offers contract-based services primarily for the medical, transportation, and computer sectors.

EOS GmbH, established in 1989 and based in Munich, Germany, is an industrial 3D printing company. The company incorporates innovative materials to provide cost-effective 3D printing solutions to its customers. It further utilises state-of-the-art technology to provide high-quality parts without the implementation of expensive tools.

Optomec, Inc. is a digital manufacturing company in the 3D printed electronics industry, incorporated in 1997 and headquartered in New Mexico, the United States. Some of its well-known users include Corning, GE, Lockheed, Raytheon, and Samsung, among others. The company has also invested in an additive manufacturing system that offers a more cost-effective and functional service compared to traditional production systems.

Other players operating in the 3D printed electronics market are Holst Centre, Nano Dimension Ltd., Nscrypt, Inc., J.A.M.E.S GmbH, and Carbon Design Innovations, Inc., among others.

Key Highlights of the Report

3D Printed Electronics Market Report Snapshots

3D Printed Electronics Market Size

3D Printed Electronics Market Growth

3D Printed Electronics Market Trends

3D Printed Electronics Market Share

3D Printed Electronics Companies

3D Printed Electronics Market Regional Analysis