3D Printing Plastics Market

The 3D printing plastics market is estimated at USD 1.7 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 4.4 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 22.0% from 2023 to 2028. Growth is driven by various factors, including the demand for additive manufacturing in industries such as automotive, healthcare, aerospace & defense. Recent advancements in additive manufacturing have led to the development of innovative, stronger, lighter, and safer components and parts with reduced lead times and costs, further fueling the demand for 3D printing plastics. The market has also seen an increase in the availability of 3D printing polymers, with major companies entering the market, which has enhanced the availability of polymers for 3D printing and is expected to lead to market expansion. Environmental concerns regarding disposal of 3D-printed plastic products is major factor restraining market growth.

Attractive Opportunities in 3D Printing Plastics Market Trends

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3D Printing Plastics Market Dynamics

Driver: Increased demand for additive manufacturing in various industries, such as automotive, healthcare, aerospace & defense

The demand for additive manufacturing in various industries, such as automotive, healthcare, aerospace, and defense, is driving the growth of the 3D printing plastics market. The ease of customized product development and favorable government investments are also contributing to the market growth. The increasing supply of 3D printing plastics due to the forward integration of major polymer companies is further enhancing the availability of polymers for 3D printing and is expected to lead to market expansion.

Restraint: Lack of standardization in manufacturing technologies

Manufacturing and non-recurring development costs continue to limit the penetration of 3D printing plastics in several applications such as sports goods, marine, and consumer goods. Design consistency, process standardization, and maintenance technology are the major issues of concern. The lack of standardization of various 3D printing plastics products and methodologies compels manufacturers to consider conservative designs. Lack of standardization also leads to manufacturers choosing conventional products instead of 3D printing plastics products such as composites.

Opportunity: Increasing focus on mass customization

Mass customization is a growing trend in the 3D printing plastics market, which allows manufacturers to produce customized products in large volumes for a growing market. 3D printing enables manufacturers to implement mass customization by eliminating many of the barriers associated with traditional manufacturing methods, such as the need for specialized molds or tooling, which is expensive and time-consuming. The increasing focus on mass customization is driven by the growing demand for personalized products that meet individual needs and preferences. Mass customization is a significant opportunity for the 3D printing plastics market, as it allows manufacturers to produce customized products in large volumes, meeting the growing demand for personalized products.

Challenge: Evolving 3D printing technologies

Evolving 3D printing technologies posing a challenge to manufacturers to continuously adapt to new technologies and materials to stay competitive. The rapid advancements in 3D printing technology have led to the development of new processes, materials, and printer capabilities, which can be challenging for manufacturers.

Ecosystem: 3D Printing Plastics Market

Photopolymer accounted for the largest market share, both in terms of value and volume

Based on type, the 3D printing plastics market has been classified into photopolymer, ABS, PLA, PETG, Polyamide and others. The photopolymer segment of the 3D printing plastics market had the largest market share in 2022, in terms of value and volume. Photopolymers are a type of 3D printing plastic that are transparent and used in liquid form in the SLA (Stereolithography) technology. They are widely used for prototyping of static models in various end-use industries, such as aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and electronics.

Powder form segment expected to register highest growth in 3D printing plastics market, during forecasted period

Based on form, the 3D printing plastics market has been classified into powder, filament and liquid. The powder segment is expected to lead the 3D printing plastics market during the forecast period, in terms of value and volume. The demand for 3D printing plastics, including the powder form, is being primarily driven by the increasing usage of 3D printing technology in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and defense, as well as the development of a diverse range of materials with improved mechanical properties.

Manufacturing  application holds the second largest share in the 3D printing plastics market, in terms of value and volume, in 2022

Based on application, the 3D printing plastics market has been segmented into prototyping, manufacturing, and tooling. 3D printing plastics have various manufacturing applications, including the production of prototypes, molds, and end-use parts. The use of 3D printing plastics in manufacturing offers several benefits, such as reduced lead times, lower costs, and the ability to produce complex geometries that are difficult to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods. The manufacturing industry uses various types of 3D printing plastics, including PLA, ABS, Nylon, and bioplastics.

Based on the end-use industry, the aerospace & defense segment is estimated to account for the highest market share in 2022, in 3D printing plastics market.

The aerospace and defense industry is one of the key end-use industries for 3D printing plastics, with increasing adoption of additive manufacturing in the production of aircraft and military equipment. The use of 3D printing plastics in aerospace and defense applications has helped to speed up the process of designing and producing critical equipment, reducing lead times and costs. The selection of available 3D printable materials for aerospace and defense applications ranges from engineering-grade thermoplastics to metallic materials, paving the way for new opportunities.

Asia Pacific to hold the thid largest market share during the forecast period.

Growing manufacturing sector, technological advancements, and supportive government policies. China's 3D printing plastics market holds the largest market share in the region, while the. The Asia-Pacific region is transforming into the fastest-growing 3D printing market, with significant developments and increasing demand for innovative products. These factors indicate a positive outlook for the 3D printing plastics market in the Asia-Pacific region, with substantial growth opportunities driven by the increasing adoption of additive manufacturing and the demand for customized and innovative products.

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Key Market Players

The 3D printing plastics market is dominated by a few globally established players. 3D Systems Corporation (US), Arkema (France), BASF SE (Germany), Stratasys, Ltd. (US), Solvay (Belgium), Shenzhen eSUN Industrial Co., Ltd. (China), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), EOS (Germany), Formlabs (US), SABIC (Saudi Arabia), CRP TECHNOLOGY S.r.l. (Italy), Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Germany), Huntsman International LLC (US), Ensinger (Germany), and Zortrax (Poland) among others, are the main producers who have won significant contracts recently. Since global requirements are changing, contracts and new product development have received the majority of attention.

These companies are attempting to establish themselves in the 3D printing plastics market by employing a range of inorganic and organic approaches. A thorough competitive analysis of these major 3D printing plastics market participants is included in the research, along with information on their company profiles, most recent advancements, and important market strategies.

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Scope of the Report

The study categorizes the 3D printing plastics market based on Type, Form, Application, End-Use Industry, and Region.

By Type

• Photopolymers
• ABS
• PLA
• Polyamide
• PETG
• Others

By Form

• Filament
• Powder
• Liquid

By Application

• Prototyping
• Manufacturing
• Tooling

By End-Use Industry

• Aerospace & Defense
• Automotive
• Healthcare
• Consumer Goods
• Others

By Region:

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

Recent Developments

• In December 2023, Shenzhen Esun Industrial Co., Ltd. Completed the acquisition of Hi-Tech Changjiang PLA Co., Ltd. Hi-Tech Changjiang was established in 2000, and since 2006, the company has been involved in the research and production of polylactic acid fiber and related products such as PLA yarn, PLA staple, and PLA non-woven fabric.
• In October 2023, Arkema collaborated with industry leaders, including EOS, HP, and Stratasys, to continue offering customers more sustainable, high-performance plastics and materials, such as  HP 3D High Reusability PA12S, for additive manufacturing.
• In March 2023, Solvay and Airborne receive funding for a composite alternative to metal battery enclosures. This collaboration with Airborne, a technology leader in advanced composites manufacturing using automation and digitalization, has already received letters of support from Jaguar Land Rover and Vertical Aerospace. They see great potential in the design of more compact and lightweight enclosures for high-energy batteries in future electric cars and aircraft and are interested in the sustainability aspect of this project which aims to reuse composite waste.
• In September 2023, Evonik and chemical and mineral specialties group LEHVOSS Group have entered into a strategic partnership in industrial 3D printing. The core content of the collaboration consists of two key initiatives: Based on Evonik's PA613 polymer chemistry, LEHVOSS will develop its 3D printing formulations under its own LUVOSINT product branding.
• In May 2023, Stratasys and Desktop Metal, Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement whereby the companies will combine in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately USD 1.8 billion. The transaction unites the polymer strengths of Stratasys with the complementary industrial mass production leadership of Desktop Metal’s brands, creating an additive manufacturing company that is expected to be well-positioned to serve customers' evolving needs in manufacturing.

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