Global 3D Printing Materials & Services Market - Focused Insights 2025-2030

MARKET INSIGHTS

The global 3D printing materials & services market was valued at USD 8.60 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 16.82 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.83% during the forecast period. The main reasons for the increasing use of 3D printing materials and services are its cost-effectiveness and flexibility. 3D printing allows companies to make complex, customized parts at lower costs than traditional manufacturing, making it ideal for industries like aerospace and healthcare that need small, high-precision parts.

Advancements in 3D printing technology have also led to a wider range of materials. New developments in metal powders, resins, and thermoplastics have made it possible to create stronger, more durable, and heat-resistant parts that were difficult to produce with older methods. As industries focus more on sustainability, 3D printing is seen as a better option because it reduces material waste. Unlike traditional manufacturing, which often results in excess material, 3D printing uses only what is needed, making it a more eco-friendly choice.

MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Rising Focus On Sustainable & Biodegradable Materials

As concerns about the environmental impact of traditional manufacturing and waste grow, the 3D printing industry is shifting toward sustainable, renewable, and biodegradable materials. Polylactic acid (PLA), made from renewable sources like cornstarch or sugarcane, is becoming a popular eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based materials. Consumers prefer environmentally friendly products that help reduce carbon emissions and lower their carbon footprint. Companies that integrate sustainable materials into their supply chains gain a competitive edge. 3D printing supports on-demand production, which helps minimize waste and aligns with sustainable practices. Efforts to achieve carbon neutrality and cut greenhouse gas emissions are expected to drive demand for sustainable 3D printing materials. Concerns over plastic pollution are also encouraging the development and use of biodegradable filaments and recycled materials.

Integration Of AI & Machine Learning In Services

AI and ML are being used in various stages of the 3D printing process, including design, material selection, process optimization, and quality control. One key area is generative design, where AI algorithms analyze design parameters to create optimized structures for 3D printing. AI-powered predictive maintenance helps detect potential equipment failures, reducing downtime and keeping operations running smoothly. Machine learning models can also evaluate different materials and suggest the best one for a specific application, helping to reduce waste and improve print quality. AI further enhances accuracy by analyzing each print layer in real time and adjusting factors like temperature, speed, and laser power to minimize defects. This trend is growing across industries such as healthcare, aerospace, automotive, and consumer goods, where AI-driven 3D printing is being used for complex, high-performance applications.

SURGED DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The increasing demand for 3D printing in industrial applications is a major driving force behind the growth of the market for materials and services. Industrial sectors such as aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and manufacturing are adopting 3D printing technologies at an accelerated pace due to their ability to enhance efficiency, lower costs, and enable innovation. Industries are leveraging 3D printing to create highly customized and complex parts that would be difficult or expensive to produce using traditional methods. The ability to create prototypes quickly is one of the most significant advantages of 3D printing in industrial applications. It allows companies to test and iterate designs faster, bringing products to market in less time. Car manufacturers use 3D printing to develop and test prototypes of new parts, streamlining the design process.

INDUSTRY RESTRAINTS

Environmental Impacts

A large part of 3D printing depends on materials like plastics (PLA, ABS, and PETG) and resins, many of which are non-biodegradable or hard to recycle. Thermoplastics used in FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) printers often end up in landfills because they do not fit into regular recycling systems. Resin-based 3D printing, such as SLA (Stereolithography) and DLP (Digital Light Processing), uses liquid photopolymers that contain harmful chemicals, which can damage the environment if not disposed of correctly. Industrial 3D printing with fine metal or ceramic powders also carries risks, as these materials can be dangerous to handle and may cause environmental harm if spilled or discarded improperly. Another environmental concern is the waste created by failed or defective prints. While 3D printing is known for being efficient, mistakes in design, machine settings, or material handling can lead to unusable products, adding to material waste.

GLOBAL 3D PRINTING MATERIALS & SERVICES MARKET INSIGHTS

• By Component: In 2024, the services segment holds the largest global 3D printing materials & services market share. 3D printing services include design assistance, prototyping, custom part manufacturing, post-processing, and consultation. Prototyping is one of the most widely used services, allowing businesses to quickly create physical models to test and refine designs before full production. Companies like BMW and Ford use 3D printing for functional prototypes of car parts, helping to speed up development. On-demand manufacturing lets businesses produce parts only when needed, reducing inventory and waste. Customization services allow for the creation of products tailored to specific needs, offering a level of personalization that traditional manufacturing cannot match. The demand for customized solutions in industries like healthcare, fashion, and consumer goods is driving growth in the 3D printing market.
• By Material Type: The polymers segment holds the largest global 3D printing materials & services market share and shows incremental growth of USD 1.44 billion during the forecast period. Most 3D printing polymers are thermoplastics, meaning they can be melted and reshaped multiple times without losing their properties. This makes them well-suited for additive manufacturing, where material is heated and layered to create objects. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a popular thermoplastic in 3D printing because it is strong and impact-resistant. Compared to metals or ceramics, polymers are easier to use since they have lower melting points and do not need expensive equipment, making them ideal for both beginners and industrial use. PLA (Polylactic Acid), a biodegradable polymer, is commonly used in desktop 3D printers, especially in education and hobbyist markets, helping drive the growth of this segment.
• By Technology: Based on the technology, the MJF shows significant growth, with the fastest-growing CAGR of 14.92% during the forecast period. Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) is an advanced 3D printing technology known for its speed, high quality, and cost-effectiveness in producing functional parts and prototypes. Unlike traditional powder-based methods like SLS, MJF prints faster by using multiple printheads to apply binding agents over a large area at once, reducing production time and increasing efficiency. One of MJF’s biggest advantages is its ability to create end-use parts, not just prototypes, making it a game-changer in manufacturing. Industries like automotive, aerospace, consumer electronics, and healthcare are using MJF to produce strong, durable parts such as brackets, housings, and interior components. Its reliability and strength make it a popular choice for companies integrating 3D printing into their production processes.
• By Application: Based on the technology, prototyping accounted for the largest share of the global 3D printing materials & services market in 2024. Traditional prototyping methods take a long time and often involve multiple steps, like tooling and casting before a working prototype is ready. 3D printing speeds up this process, allowing businesses to quickly design, test, and refine prototypes in real-time. This helps companies bring products to market faster and adapt to changes more efficiently. With 3D printing, prototypes can be created and tested in a short time, enabling multiple design iterations in one cycle. This helps identify issues early, improving the final product. Designers can quickly test functionality, fit, and ergonomics. Companies like Protolabs use 3D printing for rapid prototyping in industries like healthcare and aerospace, reducing costs by eliminating the need for expensive molds or tooling. 
• By End-User: In 2024, the industrial machinery segment held the largest global 3D printing materials & services market share. Industrial machinery manufacturers are using 3D printing for prototyping, making complex parts, and producing on-demand components for tools and equipment. This technology provides more flexibility, lowers costs, and improves machinery design to meet the growing need for innovative solutions across industries. 3D printing is commonly used to create prototypes, allowing engineers to see, test, and refine designs before mass production. It also makes it possible to produce complex parts that traditional methods struggle to create, such as internal channels, lattice structures, and consolidated assemblies. By removing the need for molds or complicated machining, 3D printing helps cut production costs and lead times significantly.

GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

North America dominates and holds the largest share of the global 3D printing materials & services market. The fast growth of 3D printing materials and services is due to the rising demand for customized products, advancements in 3D printing technology, and its increasing use across industries like healthcare, aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing. The United States is a leader in this market, with major companies like GE and HP driving innovation.

North America remains ahead in aerospace and automotive, with companies like Boeing, General Electric, and Ford investing heavily in 3D printing. This technology helps these industries produce complex parts more efficiently, reduce weight, and improve fuel efficiency.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

The global 3D printing materials & services market report consists of exclusive data on 27 vendors. The market is highly competitive, with both global and regional players. Major international companies like 3D Systems, ATI, Desktop Metal, EOS GmbH, General Electric, Henkel, HP, Materialise, Proto Labs, SABIC, Solvay, Stratasys, and Xometry lead the industry by offering advanced products and services. Meanwhile, regional vendors focus on meeting local demands. Innovation is key to staying ahead in this market. New technologies like metal additive manufacturing, multi-material printing, and bioprinting are expanding what 3D printing can do. However, the market also faces challenges from low-cost, lower-quality products, especially from less-regulated regions. This creates difficulties for global vendors who focus on performance, reliability, and meeting industry standards.

RECENT VENDOR ACTIVITIES

• In October 2024, Desktop Metal announced a merger with Nano Dimension, a provider of additive manufacturing solutions. However, in December 2024, Desktop Metal filed a lawsuit against Nano Dimension, alleging a breach of the merger agreement.
• On January 15, 2025, EOS announced the installation of its 5,000th industrial 3D printer. These machines have been installed at Keselowski Advanced Manufacturing (KAM), a longtime EOS customer, in Statesville, North Carolina.