3D Printing Plastics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Photopolymers, ABS & ASA, Polyamide/Nylon, PLA), By Form (Filament, Ink, Powder), By End-use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The global 3D printing plastics market size was estimated at USD 972.1 million in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.0% from 2023 to 2030. Ease in customized product development, coupled with favorable government investments are likely to augment the market growth over the coming years. In addition, rising demand from end user industries such as automotive, medical, aerospace & defense are likely to drive the market demand. Recent developments in the additive manufacturing industry have created huge 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 coming years.

The demand for 3D printing plastics has considerably grown in creating prototypes over the past few years in the U.S. In addition, more number of 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 the 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 which are high in resolution. Also, the final product manufactured is eligible for 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 & 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, as well as 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 which 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 comprised of plastic and aluminum. The company is primarily engaged in manufacturing stainless steel performance exhausts.

Type Insights

Photopolymers type segment led the market and accounted for more than 58% share of the global revenue in 2022. Photopolymers are soluble liquid mixtures of monomer, polymer base, and oligomers along with a photo initiator. They are lightly sensitive polymeric materials which 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 CAGR during the forecast period. Nylon is also called Polyamide (PA). Nylon 6 and Nylon 6, 6 are two different grades of nylon, consisting almost similar ratios of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon. Nylon consists a comparatively higher melting point, which allows it to become an ideal material to be used in several applications. In addition, it also 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

Filament form segment led the market and accounted for more than 70% share of the global revenue in 2022. They are manufactured and marketed in two diameters only, which includes 1.75mm and 3mm. Their versatile properties coupled with surge in demand from several application industries such as food packaging, tableware, upholstery and disposable garments is 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 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 its functionality. Moreover, researchers are also focusing onto developing low cost options to manufacture critical parts in application areas such as biomechanics, and energy.

End-use Insights

Medical end-use segment led the market and accounted for more than 47.0% share of the global revenue in 2022. Key factors propelling demand for 3D printing plastics in medical industry include its cost effectiveness, ease in customization, as well as 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 shield, mask clips, 3D printed mask & filter cover, and others on account of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, is projected to propel the market growth.

The growth in aircraft manufacturing for defense and commercial purposes is likely to drive the demand for plastics in additive manufacturing. Increasing military & defense expenditure is anticipated to fuel the growth 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 3D printing plastics market and accounted for more than 40% share of the global revenue in 2022. The region is comprised of matured markets and is characterized with a technologically advanced 3D printing industry, thereby contributing significantly to the global 3D printing plastics market. Polylactic acid (PLA) is projected to grow at promising rate in the North America 3D printing plastics market. Filament produced from PLA is widely used across several application areas as it is available in various color and blends. It is also easier to use and gives a premium finish to the final printed product.

The U.S. dominated the North America 3D printing plastics market in 2021 and is expected to continue its dominance in the forecast period. The demand in the country is majorly generated from the growing medical end-use segment owing to the rising elderly population in the country. Increasing demand in medical equipment can be attributed to the mechanical and chemical properties offered. Biocompatibility, optical clarity, and cost-effective method of production are expected to drive the product demand in 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 of medical components, thereby boosting the demand 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 upon streamlining the pre and postproduction process.

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

• Materialse nv

• HP INC.

• Eos GmbH Electro Optical Systems

• PolyOne Corporation

• Royal DSM N.V.

3D Printing Plastics Market Report Scope

Global 3D Printing Plastics Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue and volume growth at global, regional & country levels and provides an analysis of the industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2023 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