The global 3D printing material market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 13% during the forecast period. The major factors contributing to the growth of the market include the rising use of 3D printers in healthcare, automotive, aerospace, and the education industry. The benefits of the 3D printer are cost-effective, time-efficient, reduce labor cost, increase product quality, no burden of assembling, and so on. Moreover, 3D printed products contain low error, hence the demand for 3D materials is growing significantly. Moreover, its light-weight property and it produces less wastage than regular machines, are also propelling the 3D printing materials market growth. 

3D printing material has significant applications in the aerospace and automobile industry, for its light-weight property and zero burdens to assemble. By using a 3D printer, aerospace manufacturers manufacture complex parts, such as tarmac nozzle bezel in the engine compartment, console control part in cabin accessories, airflow ducting in air ducts, seatbacks & entry doors in full-size panels, brackets and door handles in casted metal parts. Whereas, in the automotive industry, it is used for manufacturing complex body part battery cover, console prototype, air conditioning ducting, and front bumper. 

The main restraining factors of the global 3D printing material market are the emerging of alternatives such as 4D printing technology. 4D printing technology helps in making 3D enabled objects by providing material layer by layer with the help of computerized-aided design (CAD) data. 4D printing technology is one of the major revolutionized advancements in the field of plastic surgeries and artificial organs. Moreover, this technology is expected to play a major role in the medical field by providing better and smart experience in implants, tools, and devices. Though, it is costlier than 3D printing technology but can act as a constraint in the growth of the market.

The global 3D printing material market has a huge opportunity to grow in the near future. As now healthcare industry has been using 3D printing techniques for many purposes including, 3D printed prosthetics, surgery preparation, customized medical devices, and medical implants. Prellis Biologics, Inc., a biotechnology company, has been working on printing human organs for transplant, according to the US government, on-an average daily 20 people die each day waiting for an organ transplant. Some of the biotechnology companies are working on 3D printed medicine, bone, and body tissue. Also, an organization, named e-NABLE, an online global community of “Digital Humanitarian” using 3D printing technology to make prosthetic upper limb devices for needy children and adults at low-cost or free of cost. Such advancement in technology will create significant opportunities for the 3D printing materials market.

Market Segmentation

The global 3D printing material market is segmented based on type and end-user. Based on type, the market is classified into metal, ceramic, plastic, and others. Based on end-user the market is classified into healthcare, aerospace, automotive, education, and others. 

Metal to hold a significant share in the type segment

Aerospace is the very first industry that started using metal 3D printing for producing complex parts. The benefits of metal 3D printing include creating complex shapes, need fewer tools, cost-effective, and time efficient. GE Aviation is one of the first companies in the aviation market, investing a large amount in metal 3D printing. GE Aviation builds jet engines and fuel engines using metal 3D printing. Aerospace companies use the same material such as aluminum and titanium as they use in traditional methods in 3D metal printing, and it makes the body parts lightweight as well as strong.

Global 3D Printing Material Market Share by Type, 2018 (%)

Automotive is an active user of 3D metal printing. The automotive industry uses it for manufacturing both prototypes and producing body parts in mass. A major company like BMW and Audi use metal 3D printing to manufacture body parts. They have made deal with 3D printing companies named, Eos GmbH Electro Optical Systems to improve their mass production of car body parts and specific tools. 

Regional Outlook

Geographically, the global 3D printing material market is segmented into four major regions, such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW. North-America has estimated has a significant contribution to the market share due to acceleration in technological advancements, an increase in demand for 3D printing material in the automotive and aerospace & defense industry. Further, the attempt taken in the research and development of 3D printing in the healthcare industry and the existence of well-defined integrated healthcare infrastructure in the region is also fueling the market growth. 

Global 3D Printing Material Market Growth, by Region 2019-2025

Competitive Landscape

The major players that are providing 3D printing material products include Stratasys Ltd., 3D Systems, Corp., Arcam AB (A General Electric additive Company), Royal DSM N.V., Höganäs AB, and so on. These players are adopting various strategies such as mergers, acquisitions, and product launches to start competing in the market. 

Few recent activities in the market-

• In November 2019, Desktop Metal Studio System launched printing material for 4140 Chromoly steel. This is used for low production and prototyping.
• In April 2018, Höganäs AB launched powder-based metal 3D printing material, it is developed to focus on the areas of additive manufacturing and Metal Injection Molding (MIM).
• In December 2017, General Electric acquired  Swedish 3D-printing company Arcam AB with worth $1.4 billion, General Electric acquired it to expand business in the 3D-printing and 3D-printing material business.

The Report Covers:

• Market value data analysis of 2018 and forecast to 2025.
• Annualized market revenues ($ million) for each market segment.
• Country-wise analysis of major geographical regions.
• Key companies operating in the global 3D printing material market. Based on the availability of data, information related to pipeline products, and relevant news is also available in the report.
• Analysis of business strategies by identifying the key market segments positioned for strong growth in the future.
• Analysis of market-entry and market expansion strategies.
• Competitive strategies by identifying ‘who-stands-where’ in the market.