3D Printing Materials Market by Material Type (Plastic, Ceramics, Metals, Other Material Types), Form, Technology, Application, End User, and Geography - Global Industry Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast up to 2029

3D Printing Materials Market Size

The global 3D printing materials market size was valued at $2.26 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $6.50 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 19.2% during the forecast period.

3D Printing Materials Overview

3D printing materials are the substances used in additive manufacturing processes to create physical objects layer by layer. These materials can range from plastics and polymers to metals, ceramics, resins, and composite materials. They come in various forms like powders, filaments, pellets, and liquids, each suitable for specific 3D printing technologies and applications. The choice of material depends on factors such as the desired object's properties, precision, strength, durability, and the technology used for printing. Commonly used materials in 3D Printing include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid, plaster, silica, alumina, titanium, tissues, waxes, and lay wood.

3D Printing Materials Market Trends

• 3D printing has significantly transformed various industrial processes, particularly in manufacturing. Its unparalleled ability to accelerate production, reduce expenses, and customize components has fostered innovation and led to the development of pioneering technologies. As a result, the market for 3D printing materials and equipment is poised to expand in the foreseeable future due to the growing array of applications across multiple industries.
• Additionally, factors including technological advancements, expanding applications across industries like healthcare and aerospace, increasing demand for customized products, and the continual development of new materials and printing methods propelled the growth and adoption of 3D printing technologies.
• Since, variations in uncontrollable process factors and materials are tied to different machines and manufacturers, consistency across each 3D printing operation fluctuates. The scarcity of comprehensive process data hinders optimal process control, impacting the planning, execution, and follow-up stages, potentially leading to manufacturing faults and flawed outputs.
• Additionally, specialized materials for 3D printing can be expensive, impacting the overall cost-effectiveness of the printing process. Moreover, consistency and reliability in material properties can be challenging, affecting the quality and durability of printed objects.
• Opportunities in 3D printing materials arise from advancements in materials, broader application scope, and evolving technologies. Expansion into diverse industries like healthcare, aerospace, and automotive presents significant growth potential. Additionally, the development of novel materials and enhanced process control techniques can further fuel innovation and market expansion.

Impact of COVID-19 on the 3D Printing Materials Market

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a notable impact on the 3D printing materials market, reshaping dynamics within the industry. Disruptions in global supply chains, reduced manufacturing activities, and economic uncertainties have influenced the demand for 3D printing materials. While certain sectors, such as healthcare, experienced an uptick in demand for 3D-printed medical supplies and equipment, other industries faced challenges, leading to a temporary decline in overall market growth. The pandemic emphasized the flexibility and adaptability of 3D printing technology, with an increased focus on local production capabilities. Moreover, the heightened awareness of supply chain vulnerabilities prompted a reconsideration of traditional manufacturing processes, potentially driving long-term growth for the 3D printing materials market as industries seek resilient and agile solutions in a post-pandemic landscape.

By Material Type, the Plastic Segment is projected to be the Largest Segment in the 3D Printing Materials Market

The plastic segment is projected to be the largest segment in the 3D printing materials market during the forecast period. Plastic remains a prime choice for 3D printing due to its versatility, ideal for creating toys and household items. It comes in various colours like red and lime green, available in matte or glossy finishes on spools. Known for its strength, flexibility, smoothness, and wide colour range, plastic is favoured for its cost-effectiveness by both creators and consumers. The segment's growth is spurred by escalating demand for 3D printing, especially in sectors like automotive, aerospace, and healthcare, necessitating high-performance materials.

By Geography, Asia Pacific Region Holds the Dominant Position in the Market Revenue

Asia Pacific region holds the dominant position in the market revenue. The Asia-Pacific region, notably China, stands among the world's rapidly advancing economies, witnessing growth across various industries due to population increase, improved living standards, and rising per capita income. This area hosts several countries with significant contributions to the automotive sector. Additionally, the emergence of electric vehicles is anticipated to open up significant growth prospects within the 3D printing materials market.        

Key Target Audience:

• Manufacturers and Suppliers
• Research and Development Institutions
• End-use industries (Eg: Healthcare, Aerospace, Automotive)
• Government and Regulatory Bodies
• Investors and Financial Institutions
• 3D Printing Service Providers
• Technology Developers and Innovators
• Distribution and Retail Channels
• Environmental and Sustainability Organizations

List of the Key Players Profiled in the Report Includes:

• BASF SE
• Stratasys
• Materialise
• Arkema
• Evonik Industries AG
• General Electric
• EOS GmbH
• Hoganas AB
• Sandvik AB
• 3D Systems Inc
• Solvay
• Henkel AG & Co KGaA

Key Developments:

• In April 2023, Stratasys Ltd has successfully finalized the acquisition of Covestro AG's additive manufacturing materials business. This immediately accretive acquisition encompasses research and development facilities, global development and sales teams across Europe, the U.S., and Asia. The acquired portfolio includes approximately 60 additive manufacturing materials and an extensive intellectual property (IP) portfolio with hundreds of patents and patents pending. Stratasys, along with its global partners, will make all materials available under the Somos® and Addigy® brands. This move enhances customer benefits by providing a more extensive global infrastructure for sales, service, and support. Notably, Stratasys commits to continued full support for customers, whether they use the materials with Stratasys printers or third-party 3D printers.
• In September 2022, BASF unveiled the innovative X3D™ technology, a revolutionary additive manufacturing approach for catalysts using 3D printing. The catalysts produced through this technology boast an open structure, leading to a notable reduction in pressure drop across the reactor and an augmented surface area, thereby enhancing overall catalyst performance. BASF is well-equipped to supply commercial quantities of catalysts utilizing this technology. This groundbreaking approach affords greater flexibility in catalyst design compared to conventional methods, allowing for customization based on specific customer conditions and requirements. Notably, these novel catalysts have demonstrated mechanical robustness and have been successfully employed in commercial plant operations both externally and within BASF for several years.

Market Segmentation:

The research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry analysis with size, share, and forecast for the below segments:

Market by, Material Type:

• Plastic
• Ceramics
• Metals
• Other Material Types

Market by, Form:

• Powder
• Filament
• Liquid

Market by, Technology:

• Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)
• Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
• Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
• Stereolithography (SLA)
• Other Technologies

Market by, Application:

• Prototyping
• Manufacturing
• Other Applications

Market by, End User:

• Automotive
• Medical
• Aerospace and Defense
• Consumer Electronics
• Other End Users

Market by, Geography:

The 3D printing materials market report also analyzes the major geographic regions and countries of the market. The regions and countries covered in the study include:

• North America (The United States, Canada, Mexico), Market Estimates, Forecast & Opportunity Analysis
• Europe (Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe), Market Estimates, Forecast & Opportunity Analysis
• Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Rest of Asia Pacific), Market Estimates, Forecast & Opportunity Analysis
• South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Rest of South America), Market Estimates, Forecast & Opportunity Analysis
• Middle East & Africa (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa), Market Estimates, Forecast & Opportunity Analysis

What Can be Explored with this Research Report:

• Understand the key trends that will drive the market and the challenges it faces in the current market scenario
• Identify growth opportunities
• Porter’s five force analysis
• In-depth analysis of market segments, and regions/countries predicted to observe promising growth
• Historical and forecast size of the market in terms of revenue (USD Million)
• Company profiling with key products and solution offerings, key financial information, SWOT analysis, and business strategies adopted

Table Of Content

1 Market Introduction 
 1.1 Market Definition 
 1.2 Research Scope and Segmentation 
 1.3 Stakeholders 
 1.4 List of Abbreviations 
 
2 Executive Summary 
 
3 Research Methodology 
 3.1 Identification of Data 
 3.2 Evaluation of Market Dynamics 
 3.3 Collaboration of Data 
 3.4 Verification and Analysis 
 3.5 Research Approach 
 3.6 Data Sources and Assumptions 
 
4 Market Dynamics 
 4.1 Market Drivers 
 4.2 Market Restraints 
 4.3 Market Opportunities 
 4.4 Market Challenges 
 4.5 Impact of COVID-19 on 3D Printing Materials Market 
 
5 Porter's Five Force Analysis 
 5.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 
 5.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers 
 5.3 Threat of New Entrants 
 5.4 Threat of Substitutes 
 5.5 Competitive Rivalry in the Market 
 
6 Global 3D Printing Materials Market by, Material Type 
 6.1 Overview 
 6.2 Plastic 
 6.2.1 Polylactic Acid (PLA)  
 6.2.2 Polycarbonates 
 6.2.3 Polyamide 
 6.2.4 Nylon 
 6.2.5 Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)  
 6.2.6 Other Plastics 
 6.3 Ceramics 
 6.4 Metals 
 6.4 Other Material Types 
 
7 Global 3D Printing Materials Market by, Form 
 7.1 Overview 
 7.2 Powder 
 7.3 Filament 
 7.4 Liquid 
 
8 Global 3D Printing Materials Market by, Technology 
 8.1 Overview 
 8.2 Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) 
 8.3 Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 
 8.4 Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 
 8.5 Stereolithography (SLA) 
 8.6 Other Technologies 
 
9 Global 3D Printing Materials Market by, Application 
 9.1 Overview 
 9.2 Prototyping 
 9.3 Manufacturing 
 9.4 Other Applications 
 
10 Global 3D Printing Materials Market by, End User 
 10.1 Overview 
 10.2 Automotive 
 10.3 Medical 
 10.4 Aerospace and Defense 
 10.5 Consumer Electronics  
 10.6 Other End Users 
 
11 Global 3D Printing Materials Market by, Geography 
 11.1 Overview 
 11.2 North America 
 11.2.1 US 
 11.2.2 Canada 
 11.2.3 Mexico 
 11.3 Europe 
 11.3.1 Germany 
 11.3.2 France 
 11.3.3 UK 
 11.3.4 Italy 
 11.3.5 Spain 
 11.3.6 Rest of Europe 
 11.4 Asia Pacific 
 11.4.1 China 
 11.4.2 Japan 
 11.4.3 India 
 11.4.4 South Korea 
 11.4.5 Australia 
 11.4.6 New Zealand 
 11.4.7 Rest of Asia Pacific 
 11.5 South America 
 11.5.1 Brazil 
 11.5.2 Argentina 
 11.5.3 Chile 
 11.5.4 Rest of South America 
 11.6 Middle East & Africa 
 11.6.1 UAE 
 11.6.2 Saudi Arabia 
 11.6.3 Qatar 
 11.6.4 Iran 
 11.6.5 South Africa 
 11.6.6 Rest of Middle East & Africa 
 
12 Key Developments 
 
13 Company Profiling 
 13.1 BASF SE 
 13.1.1 Business Overview 
 13.1.2 Product/Service Offering 
 13.1.3 Financial Overview 
 13.1.4 SWOT Analysis 
 13.1.5 Key Activities 
 13.2 Stratasys 
 13.3 Materialise 
 13.4 Arkema 
 13.5 Evonik Industries AG 
 13.6 General Electric 
 13.7 EOS GmbH 
 13.8 Hoganas AB 
 13.9 Sandvik AB 
 13.10 3D Systems Inc 
 13.11 Solvay 
 13.12 Henkel AG & Co KGaA