Aerospace 3D Printing Global Market Report 2024

Aerospace 3D printing involves the manufacturing of products and systems for the aerospace industry through the process of 3D printing. This manufacturing technique creates three-dimensional solid objects from a digital file. In the aerospace sector, 3D printing is utilized to produce various components, including door handles, light housings, control wheels, and interior dashboard designs. It serves purposes such as manufacturing end-use parts, creating prototypes, addressing supply chain constraints, reducing warehouse space, cutting storage costs, and minimizing wasteful production materials.

The main types of aerospace 3D printing materials include metals, plastics, and ceramics. Aerospace 3D printing metals, for instance, are used to fabricate metal parts made from high-strength, lightweight titanium alloy, which is prevalent in aerospace applications. The industry segments within aerospace 3D printing include aircraft, spacecraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Various printer technologies employed in this field include direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), fused deposition modeling (FDM), continuous liquid interface production (CLIP), stereolithography (SLA), and selective laser sintering (SLS). Aerospace 3D printing processes encompass material extrusion, powder bed fusion, direct energy deposition, material jetting, binder jetting, sheet lamination, and vat photo-polymerization. These processes find applications in space components, structural components, and engine components within the aerospace industry.

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

The aerospace 3d printing market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $2.43 billion in 2023 to $3.21 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.9%. The growth observed during the historical period can be attributed to factors such as environmental concerns, a demand for customized aerospace components, the overall growth in the aerospace industry, regulatory support, and increased investment and funding in the sector.

The aerospace 3d printing market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $9.29 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.5%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to factors such as the overall growth in the global market, an increasing focus on green aviation, a rising demand for lightweight components, the increasing use of space launch vehicles, and the need for cost savings. Noteworthy trends expected in this forecast period include the adoption of metal additive manufacturing, advanced composite printing, in-flight 3D printing, integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning, and a focus on sustainability and the use of eco-friendly materials within the aerospace 3D printing industry.

The aerospace industry's escalating demand for lightweight parts and components is propelling the growth of the aerospace 3D printing market. Lightweight design, particularly crucial in aerospace and synonymous with the green aviation concept, finds relevance across various industries. 3D printing technology facilitates the creation and implementation of diverse lightweight prototypes, empowering designers to refine the form and fit of final aerospace parts. Notably, a 20% reduction in weight for a Boeing 787 is anticipated to yield a 10 to 12% enhancement in fuel efficiency. Beyond reducing carbon footprint, lightweight components also enhance operational efficiency, offering benefits such as improved acceleration, heightened structural strength, and enhanced protection performance. Hence, the surging demand for lightweight parts and components within the aerospace sector is fueling the growth of the aerospace 3D printing market.

The upward trajectory in investments within the aerospace and defense sectors is steering the expansion of the aerospace 3D printing market. These investments, representing increased financial allocations by governments, organizations, or entities in aerospace and defense-related activities, play a pivotal role in propelling technological advancements, materials, and processes critical for the aerospace industry. Such investments drive innovation, boost research and development initiatives, and facilitate the production of cost-effective aerospace components. For instance, in March 2022, the United States Department of Defense released a report indicating a proposed budget of $773.0 billion for FY 2023, reflecting a $30.7 billion increase (4.1%) from the authorized amount in FY 2022. Consequently, the rising investments in aerospace and defense are pivotal in propelling the growth of the aerospace 3D printing market.

Technological advancements serve as a prominent and burgeoning trend within the aerospace 3D printing market. These advancements denote the acquisition of knowledge driving the development of new products and technology. For instance, in May 2021, Belgium-based 3D printing company Materialise introduced flight-ready parts using laser sintering technology. This technique employs a high-power laser to sinter small polymer powder particles into solid structures based on a 3D model. Notably, Materialise is utilizing a flame-retardant polyamide (PA 2241 FR) to produce laser-sintered parts in compliance with the Airbus Process Specification AIPS 03-07-022. Such technological strides hold substantial promise for the aerospace 3D printing domain, indicating advancements in material science and additive manufacturing methodologies.

Leading companies in the aerospace 3D printing industry are embracing a strategic partnership approach to unlock various advantages such as access to new technologies, extended capabilities, and broader market outreach. Strategic partnerships involve companies leveraging each other's strengths and resources for mutual benefit and success. For instance, in April 2023, Handddle, a France-based developer of additive manufacturing smart production cells, joined forces with markforged to form a partnership with the French Air and Space Force, part of the France-based Armed Forces. This collaboration is aimed at advancing the development and deployment of 3D printing capabilities for the French Air and Space Force. Additionally, the partnership seeks to meet the growing demand for 3D-printed parts within the defense sector and foster a stronger relationship between Handddle and the French Air and Space Force.

In 2021, Desktop Metal Inc., a US-based 3D printing solutions company, completed the acquisition of Aerosint for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition has empowered Desktop Metal to possess distinctive printing technologies enabling access to an expanding array of AM 2.0 applications at scale. Aerosint, headquartered in Belgium, specializes in a technology called selective powder deposition, providing complete three-dimensional control over material placement within powder bed 3D printing processes. This strategic acquisition allows Desktop Metal to advance its technology portfolio and expand its capabilities for various applications within the aerospace 3D printing sector.

Major companies operating in the aerospace 3d printing market include Norsk Titanium AS, Materialise NV, EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems, Arcam AB, 3D Systems Corporation, Ultimaker B.V., Stratasys Ltd., General Electric Company, Airbus SE, Safran SA, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, The ExOne Company, MTU Aero Engines AG, Höganäs AB, Oerlikon Group AG, Renishaw PLC, TRUMPF GmbH + Co. KG, Made In Space Inc., Markforged Inc., Liebherr-International AG, EnvisionTEC GmbH, Optomec Inc., XYZprinting Inc., SLM Solutions Group AG, Concept Laser GmbH, Sciaky Inc., Additive Industries B.V., Carpenter Technology Corporation, GKN PLC, Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc.

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

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

The aerospace 3D printing market consists of sales of 3D printed aerospace engine parts and components, brackets, rotor blades, and metal satellite antennas. 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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