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The 3D Printing Metal Materials Market size is forecast to increase by USD 1.78 billion, at a CAGR of 26.59% between 2023 and 2028. The market's growth relies on several factors, including the increasing demand for 3D printing in the aerospace industry. Additionally, there is a growing adoption of additive manufacturing in the 3D printing sector, driving market expansion. Governmental emphasis on advancing 3D printing technologies further contributes to this growth trend. These factors highlight a significant shift towards additive manufacturing methods, indicating a strong market trajectory for 3D printing technologies in various industries.
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The titanium segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Titanium segment is a transition metal that is mined from rutile and ilmenite ores. In addition, it has a high melting point and offers a significant strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and high thermal conductivity. Furthermore, it is one of the most used materials in 3D printing applications due to its advantages.
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The titanium segment was the largest segment and was valued at USD 136.93 million in 2018. Moreover, titanium is 3D printed by sintering titanium powder with a laser. In addition, 3D-printed titanium products are considered equally efficient as machined objects. Furthermore, these products are slightly rough with a matte gray finish or faintly reflective satin finish. In addition, they are widely used in aerospace, dental and medical, spare parts, jewelry, watches, and other industries. Hence, such factors are fuelling the growth of this segment which in turn will drive the market during the forecast period.
Based on the end-user, the market has been segmented into medical and healthcare, automotive, aerospace and defense, tool and mold making, sports equipment, and others. The medical and healthcare segment will account for the largest share of this segment. In addition, metal materials are used in this type of printing for medical and healthcare applications. Moreover, it has various applications in the healthcare industry. Artificial body parts, surgical equipment, medicines, and implants can be 3D printed. In addition, this printing plays a significant role in surgery planning and execution, making the implementation and decision-making process more accurate and effective. Furthermore, it is used for regenerative medical treatment or for medical implants, such as hip replacement, knee replacement, shoulder replacement, and metal plate implants for broken bones. Hence, such factors are fuelling the growth of this segment which in turn will drive the market during the forecast period.
North America is estimated to contribute 40% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Technavio's analysts have provided extensive insight into the market forecasting, detailing the regional trends and drivers influencing the market's trajectory throughout the forecast period.
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North America influenced the global market in terms of the manufacturing of 3D printing metal materials. In addition, the government made investments to increase the prototype and manufacture of the development and adoption of 3D printers in the region. For example, in July 2021, USD 8.2 million was invested by Waterloo's leadership role in multi-scale addictive manufacturing (MSAM) to establish a collaborative consortium between post-secondary institutions and industry partners. Moreover, this investment will help the university to focus on several aspects of additive manufacturing in various sectors, including aerospace, healthcare, and automotive. Therefore, the increased use of such printers will fuel the demand for these printing metal materials. Furthermore, the increasing demand for 3D printing from the aerospace and defense, consumer electronics, and medical and healthcare industries is contributing to the growth of the market in the region. Hence, such factors are driving the market in North America during the forecast period.
The market is experiencing rapid growth with advancements in additive manufacturing technologies such as Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), Electron Beam Melting (EBM), and Selective Laser Melting (SLM). These processes enable the production of complex metal parts with high precision and efficiency, catering to both industrial and desktop verticals. Desktop Metal 3D Printers offer accessibility for prototyping and limited production volume needs, while industrial metal 3D printers cater to larger-scale manufacturing requirements. Techniques like Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM) and Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) further expand the market's capabilities. With Huston and global hubs driving innovation, the market witnesses a surge in demand for scanning software and hardware to support rapid prototyping and industrial metal printing applications. As the global metal 3D printing market expands, these technologies continue to redefine manufacturing possibilities.
The market is experiencing significant growth, primarily fueled by the rising demand in the aerospace sector. Metal 3D printing technologies like Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Electron Beam Melting (EBM) are increasingly adopted in aircraft engines due to their high strength and wear resistance. Titanium, particularly in orthopedic and dental implants, is gaining traction owing to its superior properties.
These metal materials offer high-temperature resistance and low weight, making them preferable over polymer- and ceramic-based alternatives, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions in aerospace applications. Additive manufacturing minimizes waste through its layer-by-layer approach, providing a cost-effective solution for manufacturing aerospace components. The trend towards mass customization, driven by advancements in printer size, metal powders, and design software, further propels the market growth during the forecast period.
Growing demand for high-performance and temperature-resistant materials is an emerging trend in the market. The demand for high-performance materials is growing among various end-user industries. In addition, these materials can be used in various industrial applications to gain benefits from their energy-saving and wear-resistance properties.
Moreover, they are preferred in high-temperature applications as thermally conductive materials. In addition, these materials are widely used in the aerospace defense, and automotive industries. In addition, among the various types of high-performance materials, 3D printing metal materials are preferred widely, owing to their properties such as high-temperature resistance and thermal shock resistance, as well as their non-conductive nature. Hence, such factors are driving the market growth during the forecast period.
The requirement for training and a skilled workforce for handling 3D printing machinery is a major challenge hindering market growth. The manufacturing, installation, and operation of 3D printers need in-house expertise and skilled personnel to ensure proper installation, continuous operation, and timely maintenance. In addition, the handling of large or complex 3D printer installations requires experts from the manufacturing and information technology domains. Therefore, the lack of availability of professional expertise in these domains is expected to pose a challenge to the growth of the global market.
Moreover, additive manufacturing is an innovative technology for manufacturing objects using 3D printers. In addition, it requires skilled personnel such as designers, operators, and manufacturers at different levels of operations. Furthermore, adequate knowledge about 3D printers and their functioning, technical expertise, material handling, pre-processing, post-processing, and other skills are prerequisites for workers in additive manufacturing to ensure seamless operations. Hence, such factors are hindering the market growth during the forecast period.
Companies are implementing various market trends and analysis strategies, such as strategic alliances, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the market and result in market growth analysis.
3D Systems Corp: The company offers 3D printing metal materials such as LaserForm Ti Gr5, LaserForm Ti Gr23 and LaserForm Ti Gr1. Ranging from aluminum, maraging steel, steel, and various grades of titanium to nickel and cobalt chrome.
The market growth and forecasting report also includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about 20 market companies, including:
BASF SE, Carpenter Technology Corp., Desktop Metal Inc., EOS GmbH, General Electric Co., Graphite Additive Manufacturing Ltd., Hoganas AB, HP Inc., Markforged Holding Corp., Optomec Inc., Proto Labs Inc., Sandvik AB, Equispheres Inc., MATERIALISE NV, Renishaw Plc, SLM Solutions Group AG, Stratasys Ltd., THINK3D, and voxeljet AG
The market analysis and report of qualitative and quantitative analysis of companies has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize companies as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize companies as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.
The market forecasting report includes the adoption lifecycle of the market, covering from the innovator’s stage to the laggard’s stage. It focuses on adoption rates in different regions based on penetration. Furthermore, market research and growth also include key purchase criteria and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop their market growth and forecast growth strategies.
Global Market Customer Landscape
The market is at the forefront of revolutionizing various industries, notably aerospace, automotive, and healthcare. As a transformative force in the manufacturing and supply chain management landscape, it addresses challenges posed by traditional manufacturing processes. The powder segment, especially in powder bed fusion methods like selective laser sintering (SLS) and direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), plays a pivotal role. Industries such as aerospace and defense leverage 3D printing for critical engine components, fuel nozzles, and aircraft weight reduction strategies, leading to lower fuel consumption. In healthcare, the technology finds applications in artificial knee and hip replacements. Moreover, 3D printing metals offer versatile solutions, from creating specific brackets for satellites to intricate mold designs for critical engineering and fabrication applications. The market encompasses various advanced manufacturing practices, including electron-beam freeform fabrication (EBF) and inkjet printing.
The hardware segment, including scanners and software, along with services like prototyping and the production of functional parts, contribute to the market's dynamic growth. From desktop to industrial applications, 3D printing in metals is a driving force in shaping the future of manufacturing industries worldwide.
Moreover, the market is experiencing rapid growth, particularly in the aerospace and defense sector, fueled by advancements in additive manufacturing (AM) technology. Entities like GE Additive and Materialize NV are playing key roles in driving innovation within the industry. With the introduction of Industrial Metal 3D Printers and Desktop Metal 3D Printers, design flexibility has increased significantly, enabling the production of complex parts for limited production volumes. Technologies such as Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication and Selective Laser Melting (SLM) are reshaping manufacturing processes, offering enhanced precision and efficiency. Despite challenges like labor shortages, the market is expanding globally, with a focus on Asia-Pacific region. As small and medium-scale firms embrace metal 3D printing, logistics and production systems are evolving to meet the demands of this growing industry.
Additionally, the Market is witnessing significant growth, particularly in the aerospace and defense sectors. With advancements in additive manufacturing technology, including Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Laser Metal Deposition (LMD), the market offers solutions for limited production volume and prototype procedures. Industrial Metal 3D Printers cater to entities in various industry verticals, providing Desktop Vertical and Desktop Metal 3D Printer options. Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM) and Volumetric Biotechnology contribute to the expansion of metal 3D printing capabilities. Despite challenges such as labor shortages, Inspection Software and Scanner Software ensure quality control and precise scanning for accurate replication. As demand surges for metal 3D printing solutions, the market continues to evolve, offering innovative services and solutions to meet industry demands globally.
Market Scope |
|
Report Coverage |
Details |
Page number |
190 |
Base year |
2023 |
Historic period |
2018-2022 |
Forecast period |
2024-2028 |
Growth momentum & CAGR |
Accelerate at a CAGR of 26.59% |
Market Growth 2024-2028 |
USD 1.77 billion |
Market structure |
Fragmented |
YoY growth 2023-2024(%) |
24.71 |
Regional analysis |
North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa |
Performing market contribution |
North America at 40% |
Key countries |
US, China, Germany, UK, and France |
Competitive landscape |
Leading Companies, Market Positioning of Companies, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks |
Key companies profiled |
3D Systems Corp., BASF SE, Carpenter Technology Corp., Desktop Metal Inc., EOS GmbH, General Electric Co., Graphite Additive Manufacturing Ltd., Hoganas AB, HP Inc., Markforged Holding Corp., Optomec Inc., Proto Labs Inc., Sandvik AB, Equispheres Inc., MATERIALISE NV, Renishaw Plc, SLM Solutions Group AG, Stratasys Ltd., THINK3D, and voxeljet AG |
Market dynamics |
Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, and Market condition analysis for the forecast period. |
Customization purview |
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1 Executive Summary
2 Market Landscape
3 Market Sizing
4 Historic Market Size
5 Five Forces Analysis
6 Market Segmentation by Type
7 Market Segmentation by End-user
8 Customer Landscape
9 Geographic Landscape
10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends
11 Vendor Landscape
12 Vendor Analysis
13 Appendix
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