3D Printing Plastics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Photopolymers, ABS & ASA, Polyamide/Nylon, PLA), By Form, By End Use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The global 3D printing plastics market size was valued at USD 786.9 million in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.9% from 2022 to 2030. Ease in customized product development, coupled with favorable government investments, is likely to augment the market growth over the coming years. In addition, the rising demand from the end-user industries such as automotive, medical, and aerospace & defense is likely to drive the market demand.

Recent developments in the additive manufacturing industry have created significant avenues for the automotive industry. It has facilitated the development of innovative, stronger, lighter, and safer components and parts with lesser lead times as well as costs. The OEMs mainly utilized 3D printing for rapid prototyping. Thus, the rising product demand in the automotive industry is expected to fuel the market growth in the coming years.

The demand for 3D printing plastics has considerably risen in creating prototypes over the past few years in the U.S. In addition, more manufacturers are expected to utilize additive manufacturing for high-volume production. Lucrative market opportunities prevail for the market in aftermarket applications as manufacturers are increasingly utilizing additive manufacturing technology to produce new components in the aftermarket industry.

Photopolymers are widely used in the 3D printing industry as they aid in easier customization and in producing products that are high in resolution. Additionally, the final product manufactured is eligible for an easier post-process, which includes painting, gluing, cutting, and others. Commonly used photopolymer 3D printing technologies utilized in the industry include SLA printing, DLA printing, MJM, and Polyjet. These photopolymers are increasingly used across industries including jewelry, medicine, and stomatology, and in creating prototypes for industrial uses.

Filament is increasingly used in the 3D printing plastics industry on account of its varied benefits, which include war resistance, high density, strong layer adhesion, odorless, and chemical resistance against alkali and acidic compounds. These extruded plastic filaments are vital in creating 3D printed parts and models.

3D printing plastics have created several significant transformations in the automotive manufacturing industry including products that are safer, cleaner, lighter, and in newer designs. Several OEMs utilize additive manufacturing in creating automotive prototypes as well as high volume direct manufacturing. Companies such as BORLA USA are indulged in manufacturing high flow bodies comprising plastic and aluminum. The company is primarily engaged in manufacturing stainless steel performance exhausts.

Type Insights

The photopolymers segment led the market and accounted for more than 55.0% share of the global revenue in 2021. Photopolymers are soluble liquid mixtures of monomer, polymer base, and oligomers along with a photoinitiator. They are lightly sensitive polymeric materials that when exposed to light, change their physical as well as chemical properties. Ultraviolet rays initiate the reaction and change the properties of photopolymers. They are extensively utilized in various printing technologies, including inkjet, polyjet, and 3D jetted printing.

Polyamide/Nylon is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. Nylon is also called Polyamide (PA). Nylon 6 and Nylon 6, 6 are two different grades of nylon, consisting of almost similar ratios of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon. Nylon consists of a comparatively higher melting point, which allows it to become an ideal material to be used in several applications. In addition, it contains strong oxygen barrier properties, thus making it suitable for combination with other materials such as paper, which do not possess good gas resistance.

Form Insights

The filament segment led the market and accounted for more than 65.0% share of the global revenue in 2021. They are manufactured and marketed in two diameters only, which include 1.75mm and 3mm. Their versatile properties, coupled with a surge in demand from several application industries such as food packaging, tableware, upholstery, and disposable garments, are expected to drive the demand over the forecast period.

3D printing inks are anticipated to witness promising growth during the forecast period on account of the ongoing research & development activities as well as investments to develop smart inks. These inks enable the 3D printed structures to change their shape as well as color, thereby enhancing their functionality. Moreover, researchers are focusing on developing low-cost options to manufacture critical parts in application areas such as biomechanics and energy.  

End-use Insights

The medical end-use segment led the market and accounted for more than 45.0% share of the global revenue in 2021. Key factors propelling the demand for 3D printing plastics in the medical industry include its cost-effectiveness, ease in customization, and growing incidences of vascular and osteoarthritis diseases. Moreover, improved technology, favorable government support, and rapid product development are expected to propel product demand in medical applications. In addition, growing demand for medical components such as face shields, mask clips, and 3D printed masks & filter covers on account of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic is projected to propel the market growth.

Growth in aircraft manufacturing for defense and commercial purposes is likely to drive the demand for plastics in additive manufacturing. Increasing military and defense expenditure is anticipated to fuel the growth of the aerospace industry, thereby propelling the product demand. Airbus Group’s A350 and Boeing’s Dreamliner are among the most popular aircraft fleets witnessing demand in the aviation industry.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the market and accounted for more than 40.0% share of the global revenue in 2021. The region comprises matured markets and is characterized by a technologically advanced 3D printing industry, thereby contributing significantly to the market growth. Polylactic acid (PLA) is projected to grow at a promising rate in the North American market. Filament produced from PLA is widely used across several application areas as it is available in various colors and blends. It is also easier to use and gives a premium finish to the final printed product. 

The U.S. dominated the North American market in 2021 and is expected to maintain its lead over the forecast period. The demand for 3D printing plastics in the country is majorly generated from the growing medical end-use segment owing to the rising elderly population in the country. Increasing demand for 3D printing plastics in medical equipment can be attributed to the mechanical and chemical properties offered by 3D printed plastics. Biocompatibility, optical clarity, and cost-effective method of production are expected to drive the product demand in the healthcare industry. In addition, the constantly rising patient population on account of the outbreak of COVID-19 at the community level is projected to propel the demand for medical components, thereby boosting the demand for 3D printing plastics in the U.S. 

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market participants are engaged in expanding the range of 3D printing plastics as well as their applications. As the technologies are rapidly advancing, the manufacturers of 3D printed plastics are also focusing on streamlining the pre and postproduction process. For instance, in August 2019, Materialise collaborated with Engimplan, a Brazilian manufacturer of orthopedic & craniomaxillofacial (CMF) implants and medical equipment. This collaboration was intended to expand the product portfolio of Materialise in Brazil with the introduction of 3D printed customized implants. Some prominent players in the global 3D printing plastics market include:

• 3D Systems Corporation

• Arkema Inc.

• Envisiontec Inc.

• Stratasys Ltd.

• SABIC

• Materialise NV

• HP INC.

• Eos GmbH Electro Optical Systems

• PolyOne Corporation

• Royal DSM N.V.

3D Printing Plastics Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue and volume growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2019 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global 3D printing plastics market report based on type, form, end use, and region:

• Type Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2030)

  • Photopolymers

  • ABS & ASA

  • Polyamide/Nylon

  • Polylactic acid

  • Others

• Form Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2030)

  • Filament

  • Ink

  • Powder

• End-use Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2030)

  • Automotive

  • Medical

    • Prosthetics & Implants

    • Surgical Instruments

    • Others

  • Aerospace & Defense

  • Consumer Goods

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • France

    • U.K.

    • Italy

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia