3D Printing Plastics Global Market Report 2024

3D printing plastic refers to a plastic filament employed in the 3D printing process, typically a thermoplastic with a base of elastomers based on polybutadiene, imparting greater flexibility to the material. This versatile material finds applications in various uses, including prototyping, manufacturing, anatomical models, and more.

The primary types of 3D printing plastics include photopolymers, ABS, PLA, polyamide, and others. Photopolymers, for instance, enhance flexibility, durability, chemical, optical, and mechanical resistance of the material while also contributing to reduced production costs. The use of photopolymers in 3D printing involves laser sintering technology to solidify the printed material during the manufacturing process. These 3D printing plastics are available in different forms such as powder, filament, and ink, and they serve purposes in prototyping and manufacturing across sectors such as aerospace and defense, healthcare, automotive, electronics and consumer goods, and more.

The 3D printing plastics market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides 3D printing plastics market statistics, including 3D printing plastics industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a 3D printing plastics market share, detailed 3D printing plastics market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the 3D printing plastics industry. This 3D printing plastics market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The 3d printing plastics market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $1.43 billion in 2023 to $1.78 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.7%. The growth observed during the historical period can be attributed to factors such as the expansion of the healthcare sector, growth in the aerospace industry, an increased demand for customized products, growth in the manufacturing sector, and a rise in the overall demand for plastic.

The 3d printing plastics market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.14 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.5%. The projected growth in the forecast period can be linked to the expanding automotive sector, regulatory approvals facilitating innovation, a rising demand in the defense and military sector, and the growth of construction activities. Notable trends expected in this forecast period encompass the emergence of metal-plastic hybrid printing, the adoption of eco-friendly and biodegradable 3D printing plastics, a surge in mass customization practices, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative design, and increased collaboration among companies in the 3D printing industry.

The upward trend in utilizing 3D printed plastic within the automotive sector is anticipated to drive the expansion of the 3D printing plastics market. This material offers enduring advantages by reducing waste and scrap in the production process. With the rising digital transformation trend, 3D plastic printing facilitates the shift toward digital manufacturing, especially when integrated with tools that enable robust connectivity and automation. For example, in February 2022, Bentley Motors Limited, a UK-based luxury car and SUV manufacturer, significantly extended the utilization of 3D printing technology to produce thousands of new components. In 2021 alone, their facility center successfully produced 15,000 components. Notably, the company made a £3 million investment to double its additive manufacturing (AM) capacity. This increased integration of 3D printing in the automotive sector is projected to be a significant driver behind the growth of the 3D printing plastics market in the forecast period.

The escalating number of dental procedures is also forecasted to propel the growth of the 3D printing plastics market in the future. These procedures encompass a wide range of medical interventions conducted by dental professionals to diagnose, prevent, or treat various oral health conditions. 3D printing plastics play a vital role in such procedures by creating custom dental implants, crowns, bridges, and orthodontic devices with precision and patient-specific designs. For instance, according to NHS Digital in August 2022, dentists in the UK performed 24,272 dental activities in 2021–22, representing an increase of 539 activities from the preceding year. This growing number of dental procedures is significantly contributing to the expansion of the 3D printing plastics market.

Product innovation stands as a prominent trend driving advancements in the 3D printing plastics market. Companies within this sector are keen on developing innovative products using the latest technologies to meet the rapidly expanding industry demands and fortify their market presence worldwide. For instance, in February 2021, Nexa3D, a USA-based producer of ultrafast stereolithography production 3D printers, collaborated with Henkel to introduce a new class of photoplastics specifically designed for 3D printing, showcasing the ongoing innovation and development in the industry.

Prominent companies within the 3D printing plastics market are directing their focus towards product innovation, exemplified by offerings such as the FDM ABS-CF10 (Fused Deposition Modeling Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Carbon Fiber), to cater to the reliable needs of their customers. The FDM ABS-CF10 material serves as a 3D printing plastic specifically utilized for creating drill guides, end effectors, and locating tools. For instance, in February 2021, Stratasys Ltd., a US-based additive manufacturing company, introduced the FDM ABS-CF10 material. This carbon fiber-infused thermoplastic is employed in producing 3D-printed carbon fiber tools designed for sturdy, rigid end effectors and fixtures. It merges the advantageous characteristics of ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) with the stiffness of carbon fiber, resulting in a robust, stiff, and lightweight material.

In a strategic move, also in January 2021, Stratasys, the US-based additive manufacturing company, made an undisclosed acquisition of Origin. Through this acquisition, Stratasys sought to integrate Origin's software-centric additive manufacturing solution designed for production-oriented polymer applications based on digital light processing technology. Origin, a US-based startup, specializes in the mass production of additives and contributes expertise in the additive manufacturing domain, further enhancing Stratasys' technological capabilities and market position.

Major companies operating in the 3d printing plastics market include 3D Systems Corporation, Stratasys Ltd., Arkema SA, Electro Optical Systems GmbH, Evonik Industries AG, Carbon Inc., Desktop Metal Inc., Divergent Group Ltd., Fast Radius Inc., Formlabs Inc., General Electric Company, Glowforge Inc., Hewlett-Packard, Markforged Holding Corporation, SprintRay Inc., 3D Fortify Inc., Rokk3r Labs LLC, Optomec Inc., Ultimaker BV, XYZprinting Inc., Covestro AG, Badische Anilin- und Sodafabrik SE, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Solvay S.A., Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, DuPont de Nemours Inc., Shenzhen eSUN Industrial Co Ltd., Huntsman Corporation, CRP Technology, Materialise NV

North America was the largest region in the 3D printing plastics market in 2023. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the 3D printing plastic market share during the forecast period. The regions covered in the 3D printing plastics market analysis report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The countries covered in the 3D printing plastics market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, and USA.

The 3D printing plastic market consists of sales of acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, polyethylene terephthalate and polycarbonate. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.


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