VAT Photopolymerization 3D Printing Technology Market - Forecasts from 2024 to 2029

The VAT photopolymerization 3D printing technology market is projected to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.18% to reach a market valuation of US$30,037.738 million by 2029, from US$5,283.230 million in 2022.

VAT photopolymerization is a 3D printing process that uses a VAT of liquid material to build 3D things layer by layer, which are subsequently solidified using ultraviolet radiation. Due to the rising need for this technology's high accuracy and smooth finish that enables its extensive application in particular sectors like healthcare, demand is predicted to increase significantly over the coming years.

Vat photopolymerization (VP) printing, considered the oldest technological principle, has emerged as the standard in dental practice due to its reproducibility, precision, affordability, and adaptability. While some practitioners utilize material extrusion (MEX) printing, notably fused deposition modeling (FDM), to create models, it won't be discussed here. This is because these technologies are unsuitable for long-term dental medical device production, primarily due to their extended printing duration, high material porosity, and lack of stable biocompatible materials. According to a 2021 report from the American Dental Association, the United States had 201,117 active dentists in 2020, which equated to a ratio of 61.0 dentists per 100,000 people. The report projected that the unadjusted ratio of dentists per 100,000 population would rise from 60.7 in 2020 to 67.0 by the year 2040.

Growing research in the photopolymer sector is expected to boost the market in the projected period

The development of durable photopolymers is driven by research and development in VAT photopolymer materials for a variety of 3D printing applications, including the creation of form-memory polymers. For instance, scientists from the Technical University of Vienna (TU Wien) in Austria have devised a technique for creating robust, high-resolution 3D printed polymers that may make it possible to get around the constraints that now exist for light-cured 3D printing materials.  This entails customizing the manufacturing of photopolymers based on methacrylates without altering the curing procedure. Photopolymers are, therefore, expected to become increasingly important in 3D printing technology.

Further, in order to compete with injection molding and shed its reputation as an outdated rapid prototype technique, VAT photopolymerization 3D printing technology is significantly improving. It is gradually becoming a next-generation, Industry 4.0 digital manufacturing process. The development of high-speed, layer-free photopolymerization printing techniques that enable the use of more durable liquid resin components and isotropic component properties, as well as the continued advancement of photopolymer materials used in conventional VAT photopolymerization procedures like stereolithography, are contributing factors.

The dental sector has a significant interest in and uses VAT photopolymerization. Additionally, VAT photopolymers are employed in the manufacture of hearing aids, the creation of models that can aid in preoperative planning and diagnostics, and the creation of replicas of organs or parts of the body that can be used for training purposes to show delicate surgical operations like osteotomies. A 3D-printed human ear model, for instance, was created in June 2022 by a team of researchers from the University of Oklahoma in order to standardize testing for blast exposure of hearing protection devices (HPDs). The researchers predict that applying 3D printing technology will significantly enhance the evaluation of HPDs by enhancing personalization, enhancing cost-effectiveness, and speeding up the process. Therefore, these research endeavors have increased the healthcare expenditure and expected to augment the market growth during the forecast period.

The VAT photopolymerization 3D printing technology market for the photopolymers segment

Photopolymerization is a 3D printing technology that uses liquid resins that are cured by UV light to create solid parts. Photopolymers are a type of resin that can be used in this process, and they have become increasingly popular in the VAT photopolymerization 3D printing technology market due to their ability to produce highly detailed and intricate parts with high resolution, accuracy, and precision.

Photopolymers can be formulated to have specific material properties, such as rigidity, flexibility, or transparency, making them ideal for a wide range of applications in various industries. For example, in healthcare, photopolymerization can be used to produce customized dental implants or prosthetics with high accuracy and precision, while in aerospace and automotive industries, it can be used to produce complex parts with intricate geometries for lightweight and efficient designs. 

Photopolymerization-based 3D printing techniques is used in various domains and industries due to its ability to produce high-resolution, intricate, and detailed parts. Some of the domains and industries where photopolymer 3D printing is used are:

• Healthcare: In the healthcare industry, photopolymer 3D printing is used for the production of anatomical models, surgical guides, implants, and prosthetics. This technology allows for the creation of patient-specific models that enable surgeons to plan complex procedures and reduce surgical risks.
• Aerospace: Photopolymer 3D printing is used in the aerospace industry for the production of lightweight, high-strength parts that are used in aircraft and spacecraft. The ability to create complex geometries with high accuracy and resolution makes photopolymer 3D printing an attractive option for the production of aerospace components.
• Automotive: In the automotive industry, photopolymer 3D printing is used for the production of jigs, fixtures, and tooling. The technology enables the production of customized parts that are difficult to manufacture using traditional methods.
• Product design and prototyping: Photopolymer 3D printing is widely used in product design and prototyping to produce high-fidelity prototypes that accurately represent the final product. This technology allows for rapid iteration and design modifications, which can significantly reduce the time and cost of product development.
• Education and research: Photopolymer 3D printing is also used in educational and research settings to create models and prototypes for various experiments and studies.

Some of the key players in the VAT photopolymerization 3D printing technology market includes Stratasys Ltd., 3D Systems Corporation, EOS GmbH, Materialise NV, EnvisionTEC GmbH, Formlabs, Inc., and Carbon, Inc. Alongside the established players, there has been a surge of startups in recent years. These companies are bringing innovative ideas and technologies to the market and are playing a significant role in driving the industry’s growth. Some of the notable startups in the market include Nexa3D, Sisma, Nanofabrica, Velo3D, and RPS among others.

Such a dynamic and rapidly evolving market landscape demands continuous efforts by the stakeholders to stay abreast of the latest developments and advancements and align their strategies accordingly. The companies are also investing in collaborations, partnerships, and acquisitions to bolster their research and development capabilities, expand their market reach, and gain a competitive edge. It is evident that the market is poised for further growth and is expected to witness a surge in demand from various industries seeking advanced and cost-effective 3D printing solutions.

The use of all types of materials has grown by significantly in about two years. Plastics and polymers continue to sit at the top of the leaderboard, but in 2019, 74% of respondents said their companies used plastics/polymers (Source: 3D Printing Technology Trends Report, Jabil)

Photopolymerization-based 3D printing techniques have revolutionized various fields, including microfluidics, dentistry, biomedical devices, tissue engineering, and drug delivery. However, despite the rapid growth of this technology, there are still challenges that need to be addressed to enable its further progress. These challenges include the development of more diverse biocompatible materials for 3D bioprinting applications, 3D printing technologies with higher speed and resolution, the production of 3D materials with living features, expanding the physicochemical and mechanical properties of 3D printed materials, and addressing environmental concerns related to the production of thermosets. Collaboration among multidisciplinary researchers is crucial to overcome these challenges and bring about new applications for industries. This research area is expected to continue to evolve and hold promise for advanced studies and applications.

The market is projected to grow in the North American region.

The market growth is being driven on account of increasing demand for customized and complex products across various industries, including aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and architecture. This is because VAT photopolymerization 3D printing technology allows for the production of highly detailed and intricate designs that cannot be produced using traditional manufacturing methods. In the healthcare industry, VAT photopolymerization 3D printing technology is being used to produce highly customized medical devices and implants that fit the specific needs of individual patients. This has revolutionized the field of prosthetics, allowing for the production of prosthetic limbs and other devices that are comfortable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. For instance, in April 2021, Evonik launched two photopolymers under their brand names INFINAM® TI 3100 L and INFINAM® ST 6100 L which are compatible with both SLA and DLP VAT polymerization technologies.

Additionally, the development of advanced materials has enabled VAT photopolymerization 3D printing to be used in a wider range of applications which is a key factor driving the growth of the VAT photopolymerization 3D printing technology market in the United States. For example, the use of biocompatible resins has enabled the production of customized medical implants and prosthetics, while the use of high-strength resins has enabled the production of aerospace and automotive parts.

The decreasing cost of 3D printing technology in the United States is driving the adoption of VAT photopolymerization 3D printing solutions. In the past, 3D printing technology was considered expensive and was primarily used by large corporations and research institutions. However, over the years, advancements in technology and economies of scale have resulted in the cost of 3D printing technology coming down significantly. This has made it possible for small and medium-sized businesses as well as individual hobbyists to invest in 3D printing technology. The reduced cost of VAT photopolymerization 3D printing technology is also making it easier for businesses to experiment with new products and designs, as they can quickly and cost-effectively produce prototypes before moving into full-scale production.

Furthermore, the United States government has been actively promoting the growth of the VAT photopolymerization 3D printing technology market growth through funding and grants for research and development. The government has also established partnerships with private industry and academic institutions to support the development and commercialization of 3D printing technologies. The government has also implemented tax incentives and other financial programs to support the growth of the 3D printing industry. For example, the Research and Development Tax Credit provides federal and state tax credits to companies that invest in research and development activities, including those related to 3D printing technology and the purpose should be to create new or improved products relying on hard sciences.

Key Players:

• XYZ Printing, Inc., the company is one of the leading providers of new edge printing solutions. The company engages itself in original design manufacturing (ODM), electronic manufacturing services (EMS), and the development of own-brand products.
• Formlabs is a manufacturer and developer of 3D printing technology and the company is one of the renowned suppliers of Stereolithography (SLA) and selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printers.
• 3D Systems, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of additive solutions and expertise in advanced applications and industries. The company has a broad portfolio of hardware, software, and material solutions ranging from metals to plastic.

Segmentation:

By Component:

• Hardware
• Software
• Designing
• Inspection
• Others
• Services
• Material
• Plastic
• PLA
• ABS
• Photopolymers
• Others
• Metal
• Titanium
• Aluminum
• Steel
• Others
• Ceramics & Others

By Technology

• Stereolithography (SLA)
• Digital Light Processing (DLP)
• Continuous Digital Light Processing (CDLP)

By End-User

• Healthcare
• Automotive
• Aerospace and Defence
• Construction
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada              
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• UK
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Others
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Others
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• India
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Others