3D Printing Plastics Industry

The global 3D printing plastics market size was estimated at USD 972.1 million in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.0% from 2023 to 2030.

Ease in customized product development, coupled with favorable government investments are likely to augment the market growth over the coming years. In addition, rising demand from end user industries such as automotive, medical, aerospace & defense are likely to drive the market 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 the market growth in coming years.

The demand for 3D printing plastics has considerably grown in creating prototypes over the past few years in the U.S. In addition, more number of manufacturers are expected to utilize additive manufacturing for high volume production. Lucrative market opportunities prevail for the market in aftermarket applications as manufacturers are increasingly utilizing the additive manufacturing technology to produce new components in the aftermarket industry.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Global 3D Printing Plastics market

3D Printing Plastics Market Segments:

Type Insights

Photopolymers type segment led the market and accounted for more than 58% share of the global revenue in 2022. Photopolymers are soluble liquid mixtures of monomer, polymer base, and oligomers along with a photo initiator. 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.

Form Insights

Filament form segment led the market and accounted for more than 70% share of the global revenue in 2022. They are manufactured and marketed in two diameters only, which includes 1.75mm and 3mm. Their versatile properties coupled with surge in demand from several application industries such as food packaging, tableware, upholstery and disposable garments is expected to drive the demand over the forecast period.

End-use Insights

Medical end-use segment led the market and accounted for more than 47.0% share of the global revenue in 2022. Key factors propelling demand for 3D printing plastics in 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 & filter cover, and others on account of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, is projected to propel the market growth.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the 3D printing plastics market and accounted for more than 40% share of the global revenue in 2022. The region is comprised of matured markets and is characterized with a technologically advanced 3D printing industry, thereby contributing significantly to the global 3D printing plastics market. Polylactic acid (PLA) is projected to grow at promising rate in the North America 3D printing plastics market. Filament produced from PLA is widely used across several application areas as it is available in various color and blends. It is also easier to use and gives a premium finish to the final printed product.

Browse through Grand View Research's Plastics, Polymers & Resins Industry Research Reports.

  • The global 3D printing market size was valued at USD 20.37 billion in 2023 and is expected to register a CAGR of 23.5% from 2024 to 2030.
  • The global nylon market size was estimated at USD 34.39 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% from 2024 to 2030.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market participants are engaged 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 & 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 prominent players in the global 3D printing plastics market include:

  • 3D Systems Corporation
  • Arkema Inc.
  • Envisiontec Inc.
  • Stratasys Ltd.
  • SABIC
  • Materialse nv
  • HP INC.
  • Eos GmbH Electro Optical Systems
  • PolyOne Corporation
  • Royal DSM N.V.

Segments Covered in the Report

Grand View Research has segmented the global 3D printing plastics market report based on type, form, end-use, and region:

3D Printing Plastics Type Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2030)

  • Photopolymers
  • ABS & ASA
  • Polyamide/Nylon
  • Polylactic acid
  • Others

3D Printing Plastics Form Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2030)

  • Filament
  • Ink
  • Powder

3D Printing Plastics End-use Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2030)

  • Automotive
  • Medical
    • Prosthetics & Implants
    • Surgical Instruments
    • Others
  • Aerospace & Defense
  • Consumer Goods

3D Printing Plastics Regional Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2019 - 2030)

  • North America
    • US
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • France
    • UK
    • Italy
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • South Korea
  • Central & South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
  • Middle East & Africa
    • South Africa
    • Saudi Arabia

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