3D PRINTING METALS MARKET

3D Printing Metals Market size reached USD 1,465 million in 2023 and is estimated to reach USD 9,912 million in 2031 and the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 27.0% from 2024-2031 driven by the surge in demand from various industries along with evolving innovations in 3D printing solutions.

Major Market Drivers and Trends

Rising demand from industries including aerospace and automotive is a key factor propelling the 3D printing metals market growth. These industries are progressively turning to additive metal manufacturing for its ability to create complex geometries, durable yet lightweight components and tailored parts with exceptional performance.

The market in the aerospace sector facilitates the lightweight components manufacturing for aircraft and structures which results in better fuel economy along with improved performance. The aerospace industry is leveraging the printed metals to create components with intricate designs that traditional manufacturing methods cannot easily replicate. These parts feature jet engine components including fuel nozzles and turbine blades that must operate under extreme temperature or pressure conditions.

In the automotive sector it is being used to create lightweight components which enhance fuel efficiency and help lower emissions. These parts include engine blocks and suspension elements. Meanwhile, healthcare applications like dental implants and hearing aids are also helping to accelerate market growth. With ongoing improvements in technology along with wider industry adoption, the 3D printing metals market is projected to grow significantly.

The other factor supporting the 3D printing metals market size growth is increased investment in research. Major players are actively expanding their global presence in the market by exploring innovative applications through collaborations along with technological innovations in 3D printing. The continuous innovations contribute to the refinement and advancement in additive manufacturing techniques like selective laser melting or binder jetting. This leads to faster printing speeds along with improvements in resolution and the overall material properties. In addition, innovations in metal powder manufacturing and software solutions are streamlining workflows while boosting the dependability of 3D metal printing.

Form Insights: Powder segment registered the largest market share

Particles in metal powder have several key parameters which influence the additive manufacturing process and the final component properties. These include the physical and chemical characteristics of the raw material that must be thoroughly understood and characterized. As a result, the need for metal powder is likely to grow in the years ahead. Powder-based additive manufacturing provides exceptional design freedom which enables the creation of intricate geometries that are impossible with conventional manufacturing techniques.

Additionally, progress in powder metallurgy has resulted in better material characteristics including increased strength along with corrosion resistance which drives greater use across sectors like aerospace and automotive. Furthermore, its scalability and affordability make it an ideal choice for prototype development and high-volume manufacturing. This has led to increased investment by manufacturers in powder-based technologies which drives the rapid growth in this segment and strengthening its dominance in the market.

Technology Insights: Powder bed fusion segment captured the largest market share

The increasing adoption of powder bed fusion can be linked to its ability to produce lightweight components using sophisticated computer-aided design methods particularly topology optimization. The approach relies on using an electron beam or laser to selectively fuse metal powder layers which provides exact control over the production process. This technology provides exceptional versatility which enables the creation of complex geometries with outstanding mechanical properties such as strength and heat resistance. Its capacity to work with a broad variety of metal alloys further enhances the appeal of PBF technology which makes it indispensable in industries like aerospace or automotive where precise and detailed 3D printed metal components are essential.

Metal Type Insights: Titanium segment registered the largest revenue share

As industries increasingly turn to titanium-based products for their corrosion resistance and durability in extreme conditions, the demand for this segment is anticipated to rise. The conventional polymer printer’s ability to print semi-metal components by combining polymers with metal filaments is projected to drive additional market growth. Advances in the processing and production of titanium powder have increased its compatibility with 3D printing which further boosts its adoption. With industries recognizing the value of titanium for additive manufacturing, research and investment in this material are surging which further solidifies its lead in the market.

End-use Industry Insights: Aerospace & Defense industry dominated the market revenues

The aerospace & defense industries use 3D printing metals to fabricate fuel nozzles along with other key engine parts which ensures high levels of accuracy and precision. By reducing an aircraft’s overall weight, 3D printing contributes to lower fuel consumption. It also enables the production of tailored satellite brackets without needing to change the mold designs of the existing production processes. The aerospace industry is progressively turning to additive manufacturing to create lightweight and complex parts that offer improved performance. The growing reliance on metal AM along with the surge in demand for crucial engineering and manufacturing solutions in aerospace & defense is further boosting the segment growth.

The automotive sector is another major market segment with the adoption of additive manufacturing offering benefits like the production of hollow components and the ability to mix different raw materials during production. This is expected to positively influence market growth in the years ahead.

Regional Insights: North America dominated the global 3D printing metals market

The growing market in North America is driven by strong technological progress and the increasing demand for additive manufacturing across various industries. The region is positioned as a leader in the market with a strong commitment to innovation and significant investments. Major sectors like aerospace and automotive are quickly adopting 3D printing metals to improve performance along with enhance efficiency. The rise in demand underscores the region’s commitment to pioneering new technologies which drives North America to take the lead in the rapidly evolving market.

The market in the Asia Pacific region is also expected to experience rapid growth. China is recognized as the leading 3D printing metals market in the region with major powder and metal printer manufacturers from Europe and North America expanding their reach through various strategic growth initiatives in Asia Pacific.

Top Market Players

Several key players in the market are 3D Systems Corporation, Renishaw PLC, General Electric Company, Materialise NV, Voxeljet AG, Sandvik AB, The ExOne Company, SLM Solutions Group AG, SLM Solutions Group AG, Titomic Limited, CNPC Powders, CRS Holdings, ATI, Colibrium Additive, among others. Leading players are investing heavily in innovations to expand their product portfolios which is estimated to drive market growth. Market participants are taking proactive steps to grow their global presence including introducing new products and forming strategic alliances with other companies. Competitors need to offer affordable solutions to thrive and remain competitive in a growing market.

Key Developments

• • In 2024, Precision Resource and 3D Systems are working together to advance metal additive manufacturing in an effort to speed up the metal AM adoption in critical markets.
  • In 2024, HP Inc has officially entered the market by introducing the Metal Jet solutions which offers high-resolution capabilities and establishing itself as a potential leader in the metal AM industry.
  • In 2024 a 3D printer manufacturing company from Israel XJet has announced a partnership with XOLUTIONS which is a supplier to the luxury fashion industry to meet the rising need for premium stainless steel accessories using sophisticated additive manufacturing techniques.
  • In 2023 a new production plant has been opened by Norsk Titanium in Norway which marks a substantial step in its role as a leading additive manufacturing provider for the aerospace & defense sectors. The facility will focus on manufacturing titanium components for various applications including aircraft engines and landing gear.
  • In May 2021, 3D Systems decided to enhance its presence in Denver, Colorado to support its fast-growing healthcare solutions business, and expand industrial application development capabilities, which will strengthen company’s position as leader in the additive manufacturing solutions for applications in growing markets.
  • In November 2021 General Electric Company launched its plan to form three industry-leading, global public companies, which are focused on the growth sectors of aviation, healthcare, and energy, by creating a pure-play company at the center of precision health by early 2023, in which General Electric company plans to to retain a stake of 19.9%.
  • In September 2015, Materialise NV, a leading provider of 3D software and sophisticated 3D printing solutions, publicized that Lima Corporate will use its Knee Guide System for the new full knee replacement implants, which were released in April 2015; Lima’s Physica system.
  • Voxeljet AG, signed an agreement to form a joint venture with Suzhou Meimai Fast Manufacturing Technology Co., Ltd., to expand its footprint in the industrial 3D printing market in China and the joint venture will be controlled by the headquarter in Germany.
  • In April 2021, The ExOne Company, a global leader in industrial sand and metal 3D printers using binder jetting technology completed the acquisition of the assets of Freshmade 3D.

Segments covered in the Report:

The global 3D Printing Metals market has been segmented on the basis of Form, Technology, Metal Type, End-Use Industry and key regions. Based on Form, the market is segmented into Powder and Filament. Based on Technology, the market is segmented into Powder Bed Fusion, Directed Energy Deposition, Binder Jetting, Metal Extrusion and Others. Based on Metal Type, the market is segmented into Titanium, Nickel, Stainless Steel, Aluminium and Others. Based on End-Use Industry the market is segmented into Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Medical & Dental and Others.

Market Segmentation

Global 3D Printing Metal Market by Form

• • Powder
  • Filament

Global 3D Printing Metal Market by Technology

• • Powder Bed Fusion
  • Directed Energy Deposition
  • Binder Jetting
  • Metal Extrusion
  • Others

Global 3D Printing Metal Market by Metal Type

• • Titanium
  • Nickel
  • Stainless Steel
  • Aluminium
  • Others

Global 3D Printing Metal Market by End-Use Industry

• • Aerospace & Defense
  • Automotive
  • Medical & Dental
  • Others

Global 3D Printing Metals Market by Region

• • North America 3D Printing Metal Market (Option 1: As a part of the free 25% customization)

    • By Form
    • By Technology
    • By Metal Type
    • By End-Use Industry
    • United States of America (US) Market All-Up
    • Canada Market All-Up

  • Europe 3D Printing Metal Market (Option 2: As a part of the free 25% customization)

    • By Form
    • By Technology
    • By Metal Type
    • By End-Use Industry
    • United Kingdom (UK) Market All-Up
    • Germany Market All-Up
    • France Market All-Up
    • Spain Market All-Up
    • Rest of Europe Market All-Up

  • Asia-Pacific 3D Printing Metal Market (Option 3: As a part of the free 25% customization)

    • By Form
    • By Technology
    • By Metal Type
    • By End-Use Industry
    • China Market All-Up
    • India Market All-Up
    • Japan Market All-Up
    • Rest of APAC Market All-Up

  • RoW 3D Printing Metal Market (Option 4: As a part of the free 25% customization)

    • By Form
    • By Technology
    • By Metal Type
    • By End-Use Industry
    • Brazil Market All-Up
    • South Africa Market All-Up
    • Saudi Arabia Market All-Up
    • UAE Market All-Up
    • Rest of world (remaining countries of the LAMEA region) Market All-Up

Major Players Operating the 3D Printing Metals (Option 5: As a part of the Free 25% Customization – Profiles of 5 Additional Companies of your Choice)

• • 3D Systems Corporation
  • Renishaw PLC
  • General Electric Company
  • Materialise NV
  • Voxeljet AG
  • Sandvik AB
  • The ExOne Company
  • SLM Solutions Group AG
  • Titomic Limited
  • CNPC Powders
  • CRS Holdings
  • ATI
  • Colibrium Additive