3D Printing Plastics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Photopolymers, ABS & ASA, Polyamide/Nylon, PLA), By Form (Filament, Ink, Powder), By End-user, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027

Report Overview

The global 3D printing plastics market size was valued at USD 520.5 million in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.7% from 2020 to 2027. Ease in customized product development, coupled with favorable government investments are likely to augment the market growth. In addition, rising demand from end-user industries such as automotive, medical, aerospace, and defense are likely to drive the 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 market growth.

The applications of 3D printing are expanding across the global market. 3D printing is extensively used to manufacture shoes, musical instruments, building parts, car components, dental, implants, medical devices, jewelry, functional ceramics, robots, prosthetics, and casts. Growing investments in these business sectors coupled with favorable government support are likely to benefit the overall demand growth for 3D printing plastics.

3D printing or additive manufacturing is witnessing high demand in the global market as it is highly efficient as compared to various other traditional manufacturing methods. 3D printing enables production by reducing the time, efforts, and costs incurred in the project. Moreover, it does not even require specialized tooling to create a prototype. Additive manufacturing also avoids several tooling related constraints on the geometries which can be achieved through the traditional production process.

However, the high production cost of 3D printed plastic parts is acting as a barrier to the growth of the overall market. The initial cost of the procurement of 3D printing equipment is high. Commercial grade equipment is highly capital intensive in nature. Moreover, the costs of materials and plastics for 3D printing are also higher as they are premium grades designed, particularly for 3D applications in various end-use industries.

Moreover, increasing positive cases of COVID-19 across the globe is creating a huge demand for the 3D printing plastics market. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the demand for medical components such as face shields, masks, ventilator vales, and others have witnessed a surge. Furthermore, the supply shortage of medical components due to mounting demand from across the globe owing to COVID-19 is fueling the adoption of 3D printing. 3D-printing is ideal to bridge the short-term supply gap, as it allows for on-demand manufacturing, customization, and rapid changes to address the needs of different hospitals, doctors, and personal protection equipment users. It offers mass customization for the same or similar costs per unit.

Type Insights

Photopolymers type segment led the market and accounted for more than 59% of the revenue share in 2019. Photopolymers are soluble liquid mixtures of monomer, polymer base, and oligomers along with a photoinitiator. 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 expand 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 of almost similar ratios of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon. Nylon has 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

The filament form segment led the market and accounted for more than a 69% share of the global revenue in 2019. They are manufactured and marketed in two diameters only, which includes 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 ongoing research and 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 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 42% revenue share in 2019. Key factors propelling demand for 3D printing plastics in the 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 and filter cover, and others on account of the outbreak of 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 growing 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 for 3D printing plastics and accounted for over 40% share of the global revenue in 2019. The region is comprised of mature markets and is characterized by a technologically advanced 3D printing industry, thereby contributing significantly to the global market. Polylactic Acid (PLA) is projected to grow at a promising rate in the North American market for 3D printing plastics. 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 America market in 2019 and is expected to continue its dominance 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 of medical components, thereby boosting the demand for 3D printing plastics in the U.S.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Key manufacturers include 3D Systems Corporation; Arkema Inc.; Envisiontec Inc.; Stratasys Ltd.; and Materialse NV. The market participants engage 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 and 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 of the prominent players in the 3D printing plastics market include:

• 3D Systems Corporation

• Arkema Inc.

• Envisiontec Inc.

• SABIC

• Materialse 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 global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2016 to 2027. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global 3D printing plastics market report on the basis of type, form, end-use, and region:

• Type Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Photopolymers

  • ABS & ASA

  • Polyamide/Nylon

  • Polylactic Acid

  • Others

• Form Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Filament

  • Ink

  • Powder

• End-use Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Automotive

  • Medical

    • Prosthetics & Implants

    • Surgical Instruments

    • Others

  • Aerospace & Defense

  • Consumer Goods

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • North America

    • The U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • France

    • The U.K.

    • Italy

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • The Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia