Global 3D Printing Materials Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032

Global 3D Printing Materials Market Size

The global 3D printing materials market attained a value of approximately USD 2.31 billion in 2023. The market is further expected to grow in the forecast period of 2024-2032 at a CAGR of 26.9%, reaching a value of around USD 19.62 billion by 2032.

3D Printing Materials Market Outlook

• Fused deposition modelling (FDM) or fused filament fabrication (FFF) is the most widely used 3D printing technology.

• The Chinese government has issued the 'Additive Manufacturing Industry Development Action Plan' as part of the 'Made in China 2025' to make China one of the leading 3D printing nations.

• As per industry reports, there are 871,000 3D printing machines in use worldwide.

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3D Printing Materials Market Growth

3D printing materials refer to materials that are used in the manufacturing of products using 3D printing technology. The materials are layered for the manufacturing and prototyping of products with flexible shapes, sizes, and strengths. Plastics are one of the most extensively used 3D printing materials owing to their excellent mechanical properties and cost-effectiveness.

Factors shaping the 3D printing materials market are the ease in the development of customised products using 3D printing, reduction in manufacturing costs and process downtime, and the growing demand for 3D printing materials in various sectors such as healthcare, cosmetics, aerospace, and automotive. Furthermore, government investments in 3D printing technologies, such as the U.S. Department of Defense's 2018 budget supporting increased use of 3D printing and additive manufacturing, are expected to have a positive influence on the market growth.

Key Trends and Developments

Increasing applications of 3D printing, development of advance polymers, and rising demand for 3D printing materials in automotive industry are boosting the 3D printing materials market development

June 2024

Austrian ceramic 3D printing company Lithoz and New York-based biomaterials specialist Himed have partnered to innovate 3D printing of medical-grade bio ceramics. The collaboration aims to develop biocompatible calcium phosphate (CaP) implants using the Lithoz CeraFab S65 Medical 3D printer.

June 2024

LANDR, a spin-out from RYSE 3D, has introduced a large-format FFF 3D printer at the TCT 3Sixty event. The printer aims to provide advanced capabilities for additive manufacturing and expand the possibilities of 3D printing technology.

May 2024

Xenia Materials is introducing a 3D printing pellet version made from unfilled PVDF polymer and a range of carbon-fiber reinforced compounds. These materials are opening new opportunities for high-performance additive manufacturing where chemical resistance is necessary.

May 2024

A team of students from a private school in Haryana's Faridabad has developed a machine called Polyformer. This machine turns PET bottles into 3D printing filament, making it easier for independent makers to create products from repurposed waste materials instead of using virgin plastic.

Stringent government regulations

The stringent regulations imposed by various governments to encourage the use of eco-friendly printing materials are anticipated to drive 3D printing materials market development.

Increasing applications of 3D printing materials in defence

The increasing applications of 3D printing materials in the aerospace and defence sector is expected to be another driving factor of the market. This can be attributed to the fact that 3D printing brings self-sufficiency to the military component manufacturing process.

Rising use of 3D printing materials in the healthcare sector

Growing deployment of 3D printing technology for the development of innovative, customisable, sterilised, and biocompatible medical devices and equipment is increasing the demand for 3D printing materials, such as plastic.

Growing demand for 3D printing materials in the automotive industry

Automobile manufacturers are extensively leveraging 3D printing technology in prototyping, which is rising the demand for 3D printing materials like plastics and metals. Moreover, the use of different materials in manufacturing different automotive parts is also surging the demand for 3D printing materials.

3D Printing Materials Market Trends

The increasing demand for metals in additive manufacturing of personalised and cost-effective implants, devices, and prostheses, is enlarging the market for 3D printing materials further. The thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties of metals enable easy and effective sterilisation of medical devices, hence accelerating the 3D printing materials market expansion.

The rising demand for functional 3D printing materials and carbon-reinforced composites, among others, that can withstand extreme weather conditions is expected to invigorate market’s growth. Moreover, the market growth can also be attributed to the development of advanced polymers with specific properties such as fire and temperature resistance. The use of such polymers is anticipated to increase in the manufacturing of products for industries like electronics and automotive, which is predicted to provide further impetus to the market growth.

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3D Printing Materials Industry Segmentation

The EMR’s report titled “3D Printing Materials Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Type

• Polymers

• Metals

• Plastic

• Ceramic

• Others

Market Breakup by Form

• Powder

• Filament

• Liquid

Market Breakup by End-User

• Automotive

• Aerospace and Defence

• Consumer Products

• Industrial

• Healthcare

• Education and Research

• Others

Market Breakup by Application

• Prototyping

• Manufacturing

• Others

Market Breakup by Region

• North America

• Europe

• Asia Pacific

• Latin America

• Middle East and Africa

3D Printing Materials Market Share

Materials like plastics and polymers are high in demand due to their wide range of properties suitable for 3D printing

Plastics account for a sizable share of the market, supported by the growing popularity of biodegradable plastics used in 3D printing such as polylactic acid (PLA). PLA is one of the major types of 3D printing plastics, along with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), and polyamide/nylon. Moreover, the growing use of filament in 3D printing plastics due to its benefits like wear resistance, high density, strong layer adhesion, odorless properties, and chemical resistance is supporting the plastics segment of the 3D printing materials market.

Polymers also dominate the market due to their versatility and cost-effectiveness. Polymers are widely used in various industries, including automotive, healthcare, and consumer products, for applications such as prototyping, manufacturing, and end-use parts. Commonly used polymers in 3D printing include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA), and others.

As per 3D printing materials market analysis, the metals segment is witnessing growth, particularly in sectors that require high-performance, long-lasting, and heat-resistant components. Metals are used in aerospace, automotive, medical, and other industries for applications such as tooling, manufacturing, and end parts. Commonly used metals in 3D printing include titanium, alumina, and others.

Ceramics are gaining popularity in the market, especially for applications that require high-temperature resistance, wear resistance, and biological compatibility. Ceramics are used in various industries, including medical, aerospace, and industrial sectors, for applications such as tooling, manufacturing, and end parts. Commonly used ceramics in 3D printing include silica.

Prototyping segment holds a significant market share as 3D printing helps reducing the time and costs associated with traditional printing methods

Prototyping applications are a significant segment in the 3D printing materials market report. This segment includes the use of 3D printing materials for creating models, mockups, and test parts to validate design and functionality before mass production. The segment is driven by the increasing demand for rapid prototyping and the need for efficient product development processes. For instance, companies like General Electric (GE) use 3D printing to create prototypes of aircraft engine components, which helps in reducing the time and cost associated with traditional prototyping methods.

The manufacturing segment is another key area of application for 3D printing materials. This segment involves using 3D printing materials to produce functional parts and products directly, without additional manufacturing steps. The manufacturing segment is driven by the growing demand for mass customisation and the need for efficient production processes. For example, companies like Stratasys use 3D printing to produce parts for the aerospace and automotive industries, which helps in reducing production time and costs.

Leading Manufacturers in the 3D Printing Materials Market

Market players are concentrating on the development of new methods for the creation of complex metal-plastic composite structures and next-generation electronics using 3D printing

3D Systems Corporation is a leading provider of 3D printing solutions and materials. Founded in 1986, the company is headquartered in South Carolina, United States. The company offers a range of high-performance plastics for 3D printing for various industries.

Evonik Industries AG is a speciality chemicals company that was founded in 2007 because of the merger of RAG AG and Degussa AG. The company is headquartered in Essen, Germany. Evonik offers 3D printing plastics for industrial applications.

Solvay SA is a chemical company that was founded in 1863. The company is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. Solvay offers high-performance materials for 3D printing, including biopolymers for sustainable applications. It also offers consulting and support for 3D printing applications.

Arkema S.A is a chemical company that was founded in 1994 because of the merger of Total and Elf Aquitaine. The company is headquartered in Colombes, France. Arkema offers high-performance materials for 3D printing, including thermoplastic powders and pellets for various applications.

Other key players in the global 3D printing materials market include The ExOne Co., EOS GmbH, BASF SE, Stratasys Ltd., MATERIALISE NV, Sandvik AB, ExOne Operating, LLC, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Formlabs Inc., Shenzhen Esun Industrial Co., Ltd., and Tethon 3D, among others.

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3D Printing Materials Market Analysis by Region

North America holds a significant market share, driven by increasing use of 3D printing materials in automotive industries

North America holds a significant market share due to increasing deployment of innovative technologies in the region. The robust healthcare infrastructure in countries like the United States and Canada is surging the use of 3D printing materials to develop affordable and innovative medical-grade products, increasing the market potential for 3D printing materials. In addition, the rising use of 3D printing materials by the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) of NA in the automotive and aerospace sectors is positively impacting the region’s 3D printing materials market share.

Meanwhile, the Asia Pacific region is likely to witness significant growth in the market for 3D printing materials, owing to the extensive manufacturing activities in countries such as India and China. Advancements in 3D printing technology in the region are expected to further surge the deployment of 3D printing materials and strengthen the market dynamics in the forecast period.

Key Highlights of the Report

3D Printing Materials Market Report Snapshots

3D Printing Materials Market Size

3D Printing Materials Market Growth

3D Printing Materials Market Trends

3D Printing Materials Market Share

3D Printing Materials Manufacturers

3D Printing Materials Market Regional Analysis