3D Printing Plastics Market Trends

Global 3D Printing Plastics Market Overview

3D Printing Plastics Market Size was valued at USD 0.89 billion in 2023. The 3D Printing Plastics Market industry is projected to grow from USD 1.13 Billion in 2024 to USD 6.10 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.43%during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). Increasing in aerospace and military, healthcare, automotive, and electrical and electronics areas. Increased usage of 3D printing technology in these industries are key market drivers that increase the demand for 3D printing materials.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

3D Printing Plastics Market Trends

• 
  

  Growing diversification and performance enhancement is driving the market growth

  
  

Market CAGR for 3D printing plastics is being driven by the development of a diverse range of materials. Initially, 3D printing was limited to a few types of plastics, such as PLA (Polylactic Acid) and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene). However, significant R&D efforts have led to the introduction of advanced materials like PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone), PEI (Polyetherimide), and PAEK (polyaryletherketone), among others. These new materials offer improved mechanical properties, such as higher tensile strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance. As a result, they find applications in industries such as aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and electronics, where performance and precision are critical. The trend of material diversification is expected to continue, further expanding the potential applications of 3D printing plastics across various industries.

Additionally, in response to growing environmental concerns, the 3D printing plastics market is witnessing a surge in demand for sustainable and bio-based materials. Traditional plastics, especially petroleum-based ones, have a significant environmental impact due to their non-biodegradable nature and contribution to plastic pollution. As a result, consumers, industries, and governments are seeking more eco-friendly alternatives. Bio-based plastics, derived from renewable resources like cornstarch and sugarcane, are gaining popularity in 3D printing applications. These materials offer comparable mechanical properties to traditional plastics while being biodegradable and reducing the carbon footprint. Moreover, recycling technologies for 3D printing plastics are advancing, enabling the industry to embrace circular economy principles.

Traditional manufacturing methods often rely on economies of scale, leading to high costs for customized products. However, 3D printing allows for the cost-effective production of individualized items. Industries such as medical and dental are leveraging 3D printing to create personalized implants, prosthetics, and medical devices tailored to each patient's unique anatomy. In the consumer goods sector, personalized accessories and consumer electronics are gaining popularity. This trend significantly reduces lead times and inventory costs while enhancing customer satisfaction.

The  3D printing plastics market is evolving rapidly, driven by material advancements, sustainability concerns, and the shift towards customization and on-demand production. Embracing these trends will be crucial for businesses to remain competitive in the ever-changing landscape of 3D printing plastics. As technology continues to mature, it holds the potential to revolutionize various industries and pave the way for a more sustainable and efficient future. It drives the 3D Printing Plastics Market revenue.

3D Printing Plastics Market Segment Insights

3D Printing Plastics  Type Insights

The  3D Printing Plastics Market segmentation, based on type includes Photopolymer, Acrylonitrile Butane Styrene, Polyamide, Polylactic Acid, and Others. The acrylonitrile butane styrene segment dominated the market, accounting for 35% of market revenue (78.48 Billion). ABS is a durable and impact-resistant plastic widely used in industrial applications such as prototyping, automotive parts, and electronics. Its strength and temperature resistance make it suitable for functional parts.

3D Printing Plastics Form Insights

The  3D Printing Plastics Market segmentation, based on form, includes Filament, Powder, Liquid/Ink. The filament category generated the most income (70.4%). The filament is the most common form of 3D printing plastic and is available in various diameters. It is used in fused deposition modeling (FDM) printers and is easy to handle, making it popular among hobbyists and professionals alike.

3D Printing Plastics Application Insights

The  3D Printing Plastics Market segmentation, based on application, includes Prototyping, Manufacturing. The prototyping segment dominated the market; 3D printing plastics play a crucial role in rapid prototyping, enabling faster product development and iteration. This application spans industries like aerospace, automotive, and consumer goods.

3D Printing Plastics End-use Industry Insights

The  3D Printing Plastics Market segmentation, based on the end-use industry, includes Healthcare, Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, and Electrical & Electronics. The Aerospace and Defense segment dominated the market. The aerospace sector utilizes 3D printing plastics to manufacture lightweight and complex components, reducing fuel consumption and enhancing overall performance.

Figure1: 3D Printing Plastics Market, by End-Use Industry, 2022&2032 (USD Billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

3D Printing Plastics Regional Insights

By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World. The North American 3D Printing Plastics Market area will dominate this market, owing to its strong presence can be attributed to the rapid advancements in 3D printing technologies and the early adoption of additive manufacturing in industries like aerospace and defense.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are The US, Canada, German, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure2:  3D PRINTING PLASTICS MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (USD Billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Europe3D Printing Plastics Market accounts for the second-largest market share due to the region's robust automotive and healthcare industries that have embraced 3D printing, using plastics for prototyping, tooling, and even end-use parts manufacturing. Further, the German3D Printing Plastics Market held the largest market share, and the UK 3D Printing Plastics Market was the fastest-growing market in the European region

The Asia-Pacific 3D Printing Plastics Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2023 to 2032. This is due to the growing manufacturing sector, technological advancements, and supportive government policies. Moreover, China’s Printing Plastics Market held the largest market share, and the Indian3D Printing Plastics Market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

3D Printing Plastics Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading market players are investing heavily in research and development in order to expand their product lines, which will help the 3D Printing Plastics Market, grow even more. Market participants are also undertaking a variety of strategic activities to expand their footprint, with important market developments including new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, higher investments, and collaboration with other organizations. To expand and survive in a more competitive and rising market climate, the 3D Printing Plastics industry must offer cost-effective items.

Manufacturing locally to minimize operational costs is one of the key business tactics used by manufacturers in the  3D Printing Plastics industry to benefit clients and increase the market sector. In recent years, the 3D Printing Plastics industry has offered some of the most significant advantages to medicine. Major players in the 3D Printing Plastics Market, including 3D Systems Corporation (US), Royal DSM N.V. (Netherlands), General Electric (US), Stratasys Ltd. (US), Hoganas AB (Sweden), Materialise NV (Belgium), The ExOne Company (US), Arkema SA (France), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), and others, are attempting to increase market demand by investing in research and development operations.

GE Vernova, GE's portfolio of energy businesses, expects to make investments this year - including capacity upgrades, facility maintenance, and equipment and tool management - to bolster its efforts in driving the energy transition and accelerating the path to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy. These planned investments also will help position GE to seek further opportunities through the Inflation Reduction Act and other critical policies. "By improving capacity and modernizing facilities, GE Vernova will be well positioned to further drive decarbonization, increase electrification, and lead the energy transition," said GE Vernova CEO Scott Strazik. "These investments will ensure our employees and facilities are ready to support U.S. energy independence and sustainability goals while positioning the company for long-term stability and success."

Across its portfolio of businesses, GE Vernova is hiring externally for more than 920 U.S.-based positions and anticipates investing upwards of $117 million in its U.S. energy facilities this year, including.

3D Systems Corp. is a leading provider of 3D content-to-print solutions including 3D printers, print materials, on-demand custom parts services & 3D authoring solutions for professionals & consumers, worldwide. It provides scanners for a variety of medical and mechanical X-Ray film digital archiving. The company's print engines comprise stereolithography, selective laser sintering, multi-jet modeling & ZPrinters. Its 3D printers convert soft- data into physical objects from engineered plastic, metals, ceramics & edibles. It caters to manufacturers of automotive, aerospace, computer, electronic, defense, education, consumer, energy & healthcare products, original equipment manufacturers, government agencies, universities, independent service bureaus and individuals. The Product unit offers 3D printers, materials, software, haptic design tools, 3D scanners & virtual surgical simulators. The Service unit offers maintenance & service support, periodic hardware/software updates, printer installations & training.

Key Companies in the 3D Printing Plastics Market include

• 3D Systems Corporation (US),


• Royal DSM N.V. (Netherlands),


• General Electric (US),


• Stratasys Ltd. (US),


• Hoganas AB (Sweden),


• Materialise NV (Belgium),


• The ExOne Company (US),


• Arkema SA (France),


• Evonik Industries AG (Germany)

3D Printing Plastics Industry Developments.

March 2023: General Electric today announced plans to invest more than $450 million in its existing U.S. manufacturing facilities this year, purchasing cutting-edge equipment and making upgrades to position the company and its U.S. workforce for a strong future in advance of the company's planned creation of two independent, industry-leading companies in energy and aerospace.

February 2021: ExOne offers solutions for metal, plastic, composite, and foam part production with on-demand tooling solutions. Create unique geometries, iterate quickly, and test functional prototypes to improve products while getting to market faster and cheaper.

3D Printing Plastics market segmentation

3D Printing PlasticsMarket Type Outlook

• Photopolymer


• Acrylonitrile Butane Styrene


• Polyamide


• Polylactic Acid


• Others

3D Printing Plastics Market Form Outlook

• Filament


• Powder


• Liquid/Ink

3D Printing Plastics Market Application Outlook

• Prototyping


• Manufacturing

3D Printing Plastics Market End-Use Industry Outlook (USD Billion, 2018-2032)

• Healthcare


• Aerospace & Defense


• Automotive


• Electrical & Electronics

3D Printing Plastics MarketRegional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America