Additive Manufacturing and Material Market

Additive Manufacturing and Material Market Outlook (2022 to 2032)

The global additive manufacturing and material market size reached US$ 26.8 billion in 2022. Global additive manufacturing and material demand is set to rise at 21.2% CAGR from 2022 to 2032. By the end of 2032, the worldwide market valuation will reach US$ 183 billion.

Automotive sector is likely to remain a key revenue-generating segment throughout the assessment period. As per Future Market Insights, automotive segment will expand at 21% CAGR through 2033.

Key Market Shaping Factors

• Rising popularity of 3D printing technology is a primary factor driving the global market forward
• Growing awareness about the benefits of additive manufacturing over traditional technologies will spur growth
• Increasing usage in prototyping applications across various industries will augment market development
• Advancements in 3D printing technologies, software, and additive manufacturing materials will bode well for the market.
• Decreasing prices of additive manufacturing machines and materials including 3D printers will boost sales
• Increasing focus on reducing overall production costs and enhancing productivity will elevate demand
• Growing popularity of 4D printing is likely to boost additive manufacturing material sales
• Advancements in additive manufacturing materials will create new growth prospects
• Introduction of new advanced 3D printers and additive manufacturing materials will boost market

Over the years, there has been a rising interest among industries to use advanced manufacturing and prototyping technologies. Initially, most of the companies used subtractive manufacturing. However, with growing popularity of 3D printing, the focus gradually shifted towards additive manufacturing.

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a process that involves layer-by-layer fabrication of 3D models. In industrial settings, it is also sometimes referred to as 3D printing. However, many consider 3D printing a subset of additive manufacturing.

This advanced manufacturing technique has become an ideal replacement for traditional technologies such as Computer Numerical Control (CNC) and injection molding.

Additive manufacturing allows companies to build three-dimensional objects from a computer-aided design (CAD) model. This is done by successively adding materials in a layer-by-layer fashion. It has become a key rapid prototyping technology worldwide.

Additive manufacturing not only helps to save capital and time during product development, but also has profound impacts on product design, direct part fabrication, and assembly. It allows for the creation of custom-made parts with complex geometries and little wastage.

As additive manufacturing is a digital process, design altercations can be done efficiently and quickly during manufacturing process. Advancements in additive manufacturing and materials have allowed this technology to move beyond prototyping and product design to support production at scale.

There are various materials used for additive manufacturing. This includes plastic (thermoplastic polymers), biochemicals, metals, and ceramics. The most commonly used additive manufacturing materials are thermoplastic polymers such as Polylactic Acid (PLA).

Similarly, high-performance materials such as PEEK and PEKK are also gaining popularity in additive manufacturing. Advancements in additive manufacturing materials will support market expansion through 2032.

To maximize potential of additive manufacturing, companies use additive manufacturing execution systems (MES). Adoption of additive manufacturing enables businesses to mass produce customized objects. Hence, growing shift towards mass customization and mass personalization will boost the market.

Rising need for improving productivity and reducing overall production costs is likely to create growth prospects for the market. Besides this, penetration of industry 4.0, robotics, and automation will support market expansion.

One of the leading users of additive manufacturing and materials is the automotive industry. Additive manufacturing and materials enable automakers to rapidly prototype components while reducing weight and costs. Hence, rapid expansion of automotive industry will elevate additive manufacturing demand as well as boost additive manufacturing material sales.

Additive manufacturing also finds applications in aerospace industry. This is due to its ability to create complex geometric parts and its weight saving capability. Increasing adoption of additive manufacturing in defense & aerospace industry will trigger additive manufacturing material sales.

Another factor that will boost additive manufacturing and material industry is the rising usage in medical sector. Various additively manufactured parts such as custom-fitted implants and devices can be made easily by using additive manufacturing and materials.

North America will continue to dominate the global additive manufacturing and material industry. The growing need for 4D printed products in the automotive as well as the aerospace sector has led to the expansion of this market in North America.

Besides this, presence of leading manufacturers such as 3D Systems Corporation is fuelling market expansion in North America.

2017 to 2021 Additive Manufacturing and Material Sales Outlook Compared to Demand Forecast from 2022 to 2032

As per Future Market Insights, the global additive manufacturing and material market expanded at 27.2% CAGR from 2017 to 2021. For the next ten years, the market will exhibit a CAGR of 21.2%. Accordingly, it will generate an absolute $ opportunity of US$ 156.2 billion through 2032.

Rising demand from various industries is driving the additive manufacturing and material market. In recent years, demand for additive manufacturing and materials has skyrocketed, especially in the automotive industry.

Automakers are shifting their preference towards 3D printing technologies. This is because these technologies allow them to increase productivity and reduce costs.

Growth in the market will be driven by rising automobile production and growing demand for electronics. Another factor boosting the market's growth is the expanding research and development efforts to use improved materials in conjunction with advanced technologies. Also, the increased activity in the construction and building industries as a result of the demand for infrastructure development will support market expansion.

Which Factors are Propelling Additive Manufacturing and Material Demand?

Key factors that are increasing demand for additive manufacturing and materials are increasing cost-effectiveness and material advancements. Due to the need for costly molds and tooling, additive manufacturing has emerged as a more affordable method for making complicated parts in small quantities

Advanced manufacturing or additive manufacturing enables the creation of specialized parts. This is crucial in sectors such as aerospace, medicine, and automotive where each component must be adapted to unique demands. This in turn is fuelling growth in the market.

Recent developments in 3D printing have allowed users to put materials more precisely and flexibly. This will create new growth prospects within the global additive manufacturing and material industry.

Additive manufacturing lowers the need for costly tooling, reduces labor costs, and expedites the manufacturing process. Manufacturers and customers both save money as a result of this and thus it fuels the market growth.

The spectrum of industries where additive manufacturing is being used is expanding quickly. Industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical, and consumer goods sectors are increasingly adopting 3D printing. This is because of its numerous advantages.

New materials that can be produced with additive manufacturing, such as metal alloys, ceramics, and composites, have been made possible by advances in materials science. As a result, there is a wider variety of goods that are created utilizing additive manufacturing technology. This in turn trigger will boost the market.

Sudip Saha

Principal Consultant

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Which Factors are Restraining Growth in the Additive Manufacturing and Material Market?

The factors restraining expansion of the market are the mechanical properties of the material such as density and tensile strength and the excessive time taken for processing.

Additive manufacturing is generally a time-intensive process that is dependent on other processes. The mechanical properties of the material need to be modified to get the desired product which makes it more vulnerable. This limits the market expansion.

The expensive cost of the technology is also one of the main obstacles preventing the market for additive manufacturing and materials from expanding. Various small and medium-sized enterprises find the cost of the equipment and materials used in additive manufacturing to be quite expensive.

Country-wise Insights

What is Spurring Growth in the United States Additive Manufacturing and Material Market?

Growing Popularity of Additive Manufacturing and Materials in Healthcare Sector Boosting the USA Market

The USA additive manufacturing and material market is forecast to cross US$ 57 billion mark in 2032. Between 2017 and 2021, the USA market exhibited a CAGR of 25.5%. During the projection period, additive manufacturing and material demand in the USA will rise at 19.9% CAGR.

As per Future Market Insights, the USA market will generate an absolute $ opportunity of US$ 47.7 billion through 2032. Growth in the market is driven by rising applications of additive manufacturing and materials in healthcare and aerospace sectors.

Besides this, heavy presence of leading 3D printer manufacturers will boost the USA market. The United is home to various prominent manufacturers. These companies are constantly introducing novel products to meet end user demand.

For instance, in February 2020, J826 3D printer was launched by Stratasys, a United States-based company. The J826 offers multi-material 3D printing and full PANTONE-validated color.

It is cost-effective than its predecessor models. Businesses with mid-volume modeling needs in sectors including consumer products and electronics, the automobile industry, and educational institutions might benefit from the J826.

Advancements in 3D printing technologies will further boost additive manufacturing material sales across the USA.

What is the Demand Outlook for China Additive Manufacturing and Material Market?

High Adoption across Thriving Automotive Sector Boosting Additive Manufacturing and Material Demand in China

China additive manufacturing and material market expanded at 29% CAGR from 2017 to 2021. Over the next ten years, sales in China market are likely to surge at 22.3% CAGR. By 2032, China market will reach a valuation of around US$ 15.7 billion.

Between 2022 and 2032, China’s market will generate an absolute $ opportunity of US$ 13.6 billion. Growing adoption of additive manufacturing and material in thriving automotive sector is driving China market.

In recent years, China has emerged as a hub for automotive production. This is due to presence of leading vehicle manufacturers. Most of the China-based automakers are using additive manufacturing and materials for prototyping and mass production.

Category-wise Insights

Which is the Most Widely Used Technology by End Users?

Stereo Lithography Remains Highly Popular Technology

As per Future Market Insights, stereo lithography remains the most popular additive manufacturing technology. This type of 3D printing technology is employed for creating prototypes, models, production parts, and patterns in a layer by layer fashion. It uses photochemical processes for this purpose.

Stereo lithography (SLA) technology, also referred to as optical fabrication, is widely used for rapid prototyping. This is because of its high speed, accuracy, and part strength. Various stereolithography materials are being used during fabrication of models.

Growing usage of stereo lithography across various industries for creating accurate 3D models will boost growth of the target segment. For instance, this 3D printing technology finds application in medicine. It is used to create 3D models of patients’ anatomical regions.

Subsequently, stereolithography technology is used in various applications across automotive industry. Stereo lithography segment expanded at 26.7% CAGR from 2017 to 2021. Over the next ten years, it will rise at around 21.1% CAGR.

On the other hand, fused deposition modeling or fused filament fabrication (FFF) is also gaining popularity worldwide.

Who is the Leading End User of Additive Manufacturing and Materials?

Automotive Sector Remains the Leading End User

Most of the additive manufacturing and material demand will arise from automotive sector. This is due to rising adoption of various additive manufacturing technologies in this booming sector.

Demand for additive manufacturing and materials in the automotive segment grew at 26.2% CAGR from 2017 to 2021. During the projection period, the automotive segment will thrive at 21% CAGR.

Today, most automotive manufacturers are using additive manufacturing technologies. This is because they enable them to target optimal levels of innovation and performance in their products.

By using additive manufacturing technologies, automakers can reduce prototyping, manufacturing, and assembly cost of vehicle components. They do this by simplifying the process flow.

Growing adoption of 3D printing in automotive industry will continue to boost growth of the target segment. It is believed that 3D printing will be key to developing electric cars and autonomous vehicles.

From prototyping and fabrications to spare and end-part production, additive manufacturing or 3D printing is helping automakers to improve productivity and reduce costs.

Additionally, rising demand for Industry 4.0 standards and the emergence of Industry 5.0. will further elevate demand in automotive sector.

Competitive Landscape

Leading players are concentrating on introducing novel technologies to meet end user demand. They are also using strategies such as mergers, partnerships, and acquisitions to stay ahead of the competition.

Recent developments

• In August 2022, D2 tool steel for additive manufacturing with studio system 2 was launched by Desktop Metal. Customers can use this process to create parts in a straightforward, almost hands-free manner.
• In September 2022, for additive repair of turbine components, a fully automated work cell was unveiled by Optomec Inc. and Acme manufacturing. Compared to conventional CNC machines and manual TIG welding, the automated work cell offers a compelling ROI. Optomec is a prominent 3D metal additive manufacturing that provides various solutions to its customers.
• In October 2022, Software company Riven was acquired by Stratasys.

Scope of the Report

Additive Manufacturing and Material Market Segmentation

By Technology:

• Stereo Lithography
• Fused Deposition Modeling
• Laser Sintering
• Binder Jetting Printing

By End User:

• Healthcare
• Aerospace and Defence
• Automotive
• Industrial

By Material:

• Plastic
• Metals
• Ceramics

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East and Africa