PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1641423
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1641423
3D printing plastic refers to a plastic filament employed in the 3D printing process, typically a thermoplastic with a base of elastomers based on polybutadiene, imparting greater flexibility to the material. This versatile material finds applications in various uses, including prototyping, manufacturing, anatomical models, and more.
The primary types of 3D printing plastics include photopolymers, ABS, PLA, polyamide, and others. Photopolymers, for instance, enhance flexibility, durability, chemical, optical, and mechanical resistance of the material while also contributing to reduced production costs. The use of photopolymers in 3D printing involves laser sintering technology to solidify the printed material during the manufacturing process. These 3D printing plastics are available in different forms such as powder, filament, and ink, and they serve purposes in prototyping and manufacturing across sectors such as aerospace and defense, healthcare, automotive, electronics and consumer goods, and more.
The 3D printing plastics market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides 3D printing plastics market statistics, including 3D printing plastics industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a 3D printing plastics market share, detailed 3D printing plastics market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the 3D printing plastics industry. This 3D printing plastics market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The 3D printing plastics market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $1.77 billion in 2024 to $2.2 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rise in healthcare sector, growth in aerospace industry, increased demand for customized products, growth in manufacturing sector, rise in demand for plastic.
The 3D printing plastics market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.15 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing automotive sector, regulatory approvals, rising defense and military sector, growing construction activities. Major trends in the forecast period include metal-plastic hybrid printing, eco-friendly and biodegradable 3D printing plastics, mass customization, AI and generative design, collaboration among companies.
The escalating number of dental procedures is also forecasted to propel the growth of the 3D printing plastics market in the future. These procedures encompass a wide range of medical interventions conducted by dental professionals to diagnose, prevent, or treat various oral health conditions. 3D printing plastics play a vital role in such procedures by creating custom dental implants, crowns, bridges, and orthodontic devices with precision and patient-specific designs. For instance, according to NHS Digital in August 2022, dentists in the UK performed 24,272 dental activities in 2021-22, representing an increase of 539 activities from the preceding year. This growing number of dental procedures is significantly contributing to the expansion of the 3D printing plastics market.
Product innovation stands as a prominent trend driving advancements in the 3D printing plastics market. Companies within this sector are keen on developing innovative products using the latest technologies to meet the rapidly expanding industry demands and fortify their market presence worldwide. For instance, in February 2021, Nexa3D, a USA-based producer of ultrafast stereolithography production 3D printers, collaborated with Henkel to introduce a new class of photoplastics specifically designed for 3D printing, showcasing the ongoing innovation and development in the industry.
Major companies operating in the 3D printing plastics market are focusing on innovating products, such as the FDM ABS-CF10 (fused deposition modeling acrylonitrile butadieneatyrene carbon fiber), to provide reliable services to customers. FDM ABS-CF10 (fused deposition modeling Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Carbon Fiber) materials are used as 3D printing plastics for drill guides, end effectors, and locating tools. For instance, in March 2024, Stratasys Ltd., a US-based additive manufacturing company, launched FDM ABS-CF10. FDM ABS-CF10 is a carbon fiber-infused thermoplastic material used in 3D-printed carbon fiber tools for strong, rigid end effectors and fixtures. This combines the benefits of ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) with the stiffness of carbon fiber, resulting in a strong, stiff, and lightweight material.
In April 2023, Stratasys, a US-based additive manufacturing company, acquired Covestro's additive manufacturing materials business for €43 million. This acquisition is intended to strengthen Stratasys's capabilities in creating next-generation materials for 3D printing. Covestro AG, a manufacturer based in Germany, specializes in high-quality polymer materials, including those used for 3D printing.
Major companies operating in the 3D printing plastics market include 3D Systems Corporation, Stratasys Ltd., Arkema SA, Electro Optical Systems GmbH, Evonik Industries AG, Carbon Inc., Desktop Metal Inc., Divergent Group Ltd., Fast Radius Inc., Formlabs Inc., General Electric Company, Glowforge Inc., Hewlett-Packard, Markforged Holding Corporation, SprintRay Inc., 3D Fortify Inc., Optomec Inc., Ultimaker BV, XYZprinting Inc., Covestro AG, Badische Anilin- und Sodafabrik SE, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Solvay S.A., Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, DuPont de Nemours Inc., Shenzhen eSUN Industrial Co Ltd., Huntsman Corporation, CRP Technology, Materialise NV
North America was the largest region in the 3D printing plastics market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the 3D printing plastic market share during the forecast period. The regions covered in the 3D printing plastics market analysis report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
The countries covered in the 3D printing plastics market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, and USA.
The 3D printing plastic market consists of sales of acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, polyethylene terephthalate and polycarbonate. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
3D Printing Plastics Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on 3d printing plastics market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for 3d printing plastics ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The 3d printing plastics market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.