3D Printing Metal Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Titanium, Nickel), By Form (Filament, Powder), By End Use (Aerospace & Defense, Medical & Dental), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

3D Printing Metal Market Size & Trends

The global 3D printing metal market size was estimated at USD 845.5 million in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 18.6% from 2024 to 2030. The market growth is expected to receive support in the coming years due to increased investments in 3D printing companies. The increasing adoption of 3D printing in the aerospace & defense industry is propelling market growth. OEMs such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Airbus are focusing on the development of prototypes and complex components using low-volume manufacturing.

Metal powder is the backbone of 3D metal printing. It is the preferred stock type due to its unique features, despite being difficult and dangerous to handle in its raw state. The vast majority of 3D printing metal technologies utilize metal powder, and the major differences between types of metal printers often relate to the characteristics of the metal powders used.

Drivers, Opportunities & Restraints

Growing adoption of 3D printing in the medical & dental industry is one of the major growth drivers of the market. 3D printing technology also known as Additive Manufacturing (AM) is used to produce patient-suitable dental products, such as partial dentures, crowns, and bridges in the dental industry. Most of the time, the traditional method of manufacturing is not suitable for low-volume manufacturing as the equipment varies in size, which is now addressed by AM technology.

Industry players have engaged in strategic collaborations and product launches to drive innovation and expand their capabilities. For example, In May 2023, the medical 3D printing capabilities of HP Multi Jet Fusion were enhanced through a collaboration with Metal JET, achieved by integrating the Jet Fusion 5420W and Metal Jet S100 systems.

Adoption of stereo lithography (SLA) is widely being adopted in 3D printing. SLA works by curing liquid photopolymer resin layer by layer using an ultraviolet (UV) laser. SLA technology has played a crucial role in creating intricate 3D designs, from tiny needles to full-scale organs. It demonstrates the technology's high level of detail, accuracy, and quick production, making it suitable for medical and pharmaceutical purposes.

During additive manufacturing, owing to contraction & expansion and heating & cooling, residual stress is developed in the part. When this stress exceeds tensile strength, defects such as warpage occur in the component. Many researchers around the world are working on solutions to reduce the residual stress developed during 3D printing.

Industry Dynamics

The global market is currently in the growth stage and holds huge potential owing to its rising penetration and adoption across different industries. The market is also witnessing rising investments from small companies. With the rising competition, merger & acquisition activities in the market are likely to increase over the forecast period.

The threat of substitutes is influenced by the alternative manufacturing methods or materials that impact the demand for 3D printed metal components. For instance, other processes like extrusion, MIM, press & sinter, etc. are alternatives to 3D printing.

The ability of buyers to find substitutes, such as using different materials apart from metal, contributes to the assessment of this force. For example, in April 2024, Renault and CEA introduced a new auto 3D printing material, which is known to be light, recyclable, and adaptive. It is made from thermoplastic polyurethane.

Mergers & acquisitions are actively being witnessed in the industry. For instance, in June 2024, Materialise and ArcelorMittal Powders formally agreed to collaborate on optimizing laser powder bed fusion equipment and 3D printing metal strategies. As part of the agreement, ArcelorMittal will leverage Materialise’s next generation build processor for 3D printers.

Form Insights

“By Form segmentation, Powder held the largest revenue share of over 94% in 2023.”

Based on form, the powder segment led the market with the largest revenue share of 94.1% in 2023. Metal powder particles have a number of prominent parameters that not only impact the additive build process but also affect the properties of the finished component. This includes the physical as well as chemical properties of the raw material, which must be properly known and characterized. This is likely to push the demand for metal powder over the coming years. The spherical metal particles that are used in the 3D printing process must be small, typically in the range of up to 15 to 75 microns, to get a fine print of the finished product.

The distribution of the particle must not be skewed but should be evenly spread to obtain an optimal build. Filaments are typically a mix of metal and polymer, wherein the metal is coated with a layer of polymer including PLA and ABS. The producers are working on R&D to develop cost-effective technologies for printing with filament in comparison with the selective laser melting process. This is anticipated to push the demand for filaments over the forecast period.

Product Insights

“Titanium product segment accounted for the highest revenue share of over 43% in 2023.”

The titanium segment led the market with the largest revenue share of 43.8% in 2023. Increasing demand for titanium-based products in various industries due to their properties, such as non-corrosive and high resistance against harsh environments, is expected to fuel the segment growth. The compatibility of traditional polymer 3D printers to print semi-metal equipment when combined with polymers and in the form of filament is further expected to drive market growth.

The ability of the aerospace & defense industry to bear high initial costs and adapt to new technologies is anticipated to propel the development of titanium powder for 3D printing applications. An innovative aerospace approach aided by the necessity of complex geometric structures is expected to drive the 3D printing technology, thereby boosting the demand for titanium powder.

Stainless steel finds potential in various industries as it has low carbon and high chromium content. Parts printed using stainless steel are lightweight, strong, and durable. Moreover, stainless steel helps in printing large objects with a high-quality surface finish. In June 2024, ESA’s Metal 3D printer achieved a milestone of carrying out first ever metal 3D printing in space, by printing a stainless steel object - a test “S-curve” line- aboard the International Space Station.

End Use Insights

“Aerospace and defense is expected to register a CAGR of 18.9% over the forecast period.”

Based on end use, the aerospace and defense segment led the market with the largest revenue share of 43.4% in 2023. The transformative impact of 3D printing within the aerospace & defense sector is evident, with nearly 9 out of 10 industry participants expecting their 3D printing use to at least double over the next few years. This trend has led to a fundamental shift in how the industry operates, with 70% of respondents acknowledging that 3D printing has changed the industry's operational landscape.

The medical and dental segment is expected to register at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Growing demand from industry is encouraging the supply side to expand production. For instance, in February 2024, U.S.-based contract manufacturer Armadillo Additive launched a new additive manufacturing facility targeting precision engineering for the medical device sector.

Automotive is another key segment of the market. The introduction of additive manufacturing in the automotive industry is expected to display many benefits such as producing hollow components, comparatively thinner walls, and mixing various raw materials while manufacturing a component. This is projected to create a positive impact on the market growth over the coming years.

For instance, in May 2024, BMV unveiled its 3D printed bionic grippers to expedite flexibility and efficiency in production. To support the production of CFRP roofs and other components, BMW fabricated the grippers using 3D printing. The use of these grippers helps in improving efficiency and reducing production costs.

Regional Insights

“The U.S. held nearly 25% revenue share of the global market.”

North America dominated the 3D printing metal market with the revenue share of 27.3% in 2023. Growth in aerospace and healthcare sectors of the region is benefiting the technology to further advance. For instance, in July 2024, North Carolina-based startup, Restor3d, secured another USD 70 million in funding to advance its development and marketing of 3D-printed, personalized orthopedic implants.

U.S. 3D Printing Metal Market Trends

The 3D printing metal market in the U.S. holds the largest share of North America in 2023, on account of the widespread presence of numerous manufacturers and end users in the country. Large-scale automobile plants, growing investments in aerospace & defense, and infrastructural developments are propelling the demand for metal-based 3D printed parts in the country.

The Canada 3D printing metal market is experiencing growth on account of large-scale establishment of aerospace manufacturing in the country. For example, Ontario holds production of around 75% of all Airbus and Boeing commercial aircraft landing systems. In Toronto, there are operations of more than 160 aerospace companies.

Europe 3D Printing Metal Market Trends

The 3D printing metal market in Europe accounted for the largest revenue share in 2023. The UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy lead the regional market in terms of the adoption of 3D printing for end parts, particularly in the healthcare and aerospace sectors. Some of the countries have developed a national strategy for additive manufacturing as a part of their Industry 4.0 and advanced manufacturing strategies.

The Germany 3D printing metal market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. Germany is allocating substantial funds to maintain its edge in the metal additive manufacturing market. The country has 148 research institutions that are actively dedicated to the development of additive manufacturing. This is expected to play a crucial role in propelling market growth across the forecast period.

The 3D printing metal market in UK is expected to grow at a significant CAGR over the forecast period. Major companies that currently use 3D printing in the UK are Attenborough Dental and Renishaw for crowns and bridges; Bowman International for bearing cages; and GKN for automotive and aerospace components. However, a vast majority of the UK industry has yet to fully adopt the metal additive manufacturing technology, thereby denoting significant potential for market growth.

Asia Pacific 3D Printing Metal Market Trends

The 3D printing metal market in Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 18.7% during the forecast period. The growing adoption of additive manufacturing by aerospace companies in the region is projected to drive the regional market growth. In the aerospace sector, leading aircraft manufacturer in India, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) uses the metal AM technology to manufacture various components for its indigenous engine program. For instance, HAL has adopted the Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) technique to produce components for its Hindustan Turbofan Engine-25 (HTFE-25).

The China 3D printing metal market is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Growing vehicle production coupled with technological advancements is proliferating market growth. For instance, January 2024, BLT revealed 3D printed brake calipers for a China-based automotive company XPENG Motors.

The 3D printing metal market in South Korea has experienced a significant rise in the adoption and integration of 3D printing technology. The growth is evident with the presence of around 400 active additive manufacturing companies in the country. The government's Manufacturing Innovation 3.0 strategy has placed 3D printing at the forefront, driving the country's involvement in technology since the post-2010s.

Central & South America 3D Printing Metal Market Trends

The 3D printing metal market in Central & South America is an emerging trend that holds great potential for expansion in the region. One of the growth factors is the launch of new materials and the surging adoption of metal technologies. For instance, in 2022, Xact Metal forged partnerships in Mexico and Colombia to bring affordable metal 3D printing to Latin America.

Middle East & Africa 3D Printing Metal Market Trends

The 3D printing metal market in Middle East & Africa is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Private and public investments in additive manufacturing have created a positive impact on the growth of the 3D printing market in the Middle East & Africa. Governments are investing in developments towards adoption of the technology to enhance manufacturing sector.

Key 3D Printing Metal Company Insights

Some of the prominent players in the global market include Rio Tinto Metal Powder, Sandvik AB, GKN Powder Metallurgy, ATI, and CRS Holdings, LLC.

• ATI was established in 1996 and is headquartered in Texas, U.S. It is a global producer of high-performance materials and solutions for the aerospace and defense markets and critical applications in electronics, medical, and specialty energy. Its business operations are divided into two segments, which are HPMC and AA&S

• CRS Holdings, LLC, also known as Carpenter Technology Corporation, was established in 1889 and is headquartered in Pennsylvania, U.S. It is a manufacturer of specialty metals. The company develops, manufactures, and distributes specialty alloys, including titanium powders tailored for 3D printing applications

• GKN Powder Metallurgy, headquartered in Germany and established in 1997, is a global company with 27 manufacturing sites in 9 countries. It operates through three business segments: GKN Powders - Hoeganaes, GKN Sinter Metals, and GKN Additive

Recent Developments

• In 2023, ATI revealed its plans to establish an additive manufacturing and post-processing facility in Florida, outside Fort Lauderdale. This move aims to capitalize on the high demand for additively manufactured laser power bed fusion parts in the aerospace & defense industries, catering to both commercial and defense clients. The facility is expected to commence operations in the fiscal year 2024

• In a joint effort, Nikon SLM Solutions and Materialise disclosed their collaboration in November 2023 to create Materialise Build Processors (BPs) for Nikon SLM Solutions printers. These specially designed BPs will be smoothly incorporated into the Materialise CO-AM platform

• In July 2024, 3D Systems and Precision Resource forged a strategic partnership to drive forward metal additive manufacturing, aiming to accelerate the use of metal AM applications in high-criticality markets

3D Printing Metal Market Report Scope

Global 3D Printing Metal Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue and volume growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global 3D printing metal market report based on form, product, end use, and region.

• Form Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million; 2018 - 2030)

  • Powder

  • Filament

• Product Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million; 2018 - 2030)

  • Titanium

  • Nickel

  • Stainless Steel

  • Aluminum

  • Others

• End Use Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million; 2018 - 2030)

  • Aerospace & Defense

  • Automotive

  • Medical & Dental

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million; 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

    • France

    • Spain

    • Italy

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

    • Singapore

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa