3D Printing Market Expected to Recover Driven by Metal Printer Demand

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Are you prepared for the resurgence of the 3D printing market?

The 3D printing industry has faced its fair share of challenges in recent years, but a new report from CONTEXT suggests that the market is poised for a comeback. According to the report, the additive manufacturing market is expected to recover in 2025, driven by demand for metal 3D printers, particularly laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) systems. But what’s behind this expected surge in demand, and what does it mean for the future of the industry?

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Table of Contents

The State of the 3D Printing Market

To understand the current state of the 3D printing market, it’s helpful to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. The market can be broadly segmented into three categories: Entry-level, Midrange, and Industrial. Each of these segments has its own unique characteristics and trends.

Entry-Level Segment

The Entry-level segment is the only one expected to show growth in 2024, with shipments of consumer-centric 3D printers costing under $2500 increasing by 41%. This is likely due to the increasing popularity of 3D printing among hobbyists and enthusiasts. As the technology becomes more accessible and affordable, more people are able to get involved and start experimenting with 3D printing.

Segment	2024 Growth Rate
Entry-Level	41%
Midrange	-10%
Industrial	-5%

Midrange and Professional Segments

The Midrange and Professional segments are expected to grow by 14% and 8% respectively in 2025. This is likely due to the increasing adoption of 3D printing in various industries, such as aerospace, automotive, and healthcare. As companies begin to see the benefits of 3D printing, they are investing more in the technology and upgrading to higher-end printers.

Industrial Segment

The Industrial segment is the largest and most lucrative segment of the 3D printing market. Shipments of Industrial 3D printers costing over $100,000 are expected to increase by 15% in 2025. This is driven by the increasing demand for metal 3D printers, particularly LPBF systems. The aerospace, automotive, and healthcare sectors are all major users of Industrial 3D printers, and are driving the growth of this segment.

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Drivers of Growth

So, what’s driving the growth of the 3D printing market? There are several factors at play, but some of the most significant include:

Increased Adoption in Various Industries

Additive manufacturing is witnessing increased adoption for high-volume production applications, particularly in the aerospace, automotive, and healthcare sectors. This is due to the many benefits of 3D printing, including increased speed, reduced costs, and improved product quality.

Advancements in Technology

Advancements in technology are also driving the growth of the 3D printing market. Improvements in printer speed, accuracy, and reliability are making 3D printing more viable for a wider range of applications.

Decreasing Costs

The cost of 3D printing is decreasing, making it more accessible to a wider range of users. This is particularly true for the Entry-level segment, where the cost of printers is decreasing rapidly.

Future Outlook

So, what does the future hold for the 3D printing market? The outlook is positive, with many experts predicting continued growth and adoption. Industry optimism for the future of 3D printing is high, with 65% of respondents in a VDMA survey anticipating domestic market growth over the next two years.

Five-Year Projection

The five-year projection for Industrial 3D printer shipments is positive, with an expected 19% compound annual growth rate. This is driven by the increasing demand for metal 3D printers, particularly LPBF systems.

Year	Growth Rate
2025	15%
2026	18%
2027	20%
2028	22%
2029	24%

Conclusion

The 3D printing market is expected to recover in 2025, driven by demand for metal 3D printers, particularly LPBF systems. The Entry-level segment is expected to show growth in 2024, while the Midrange and Professional segments are expected to grow by 14% and 8% respectively in 2025. The Industrial segment is expected to grow by 15% in 2025, driven by the increasing demand for metal 3D printers. The future outlook is positive, with many experts predicting continued growth and adoption.

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