Aerospace 3D Printing Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2024-2032)

Aerospace 3D Printing also known as additive manufacturing is used to print the object of different shapes and sizes by depositing material layer by layer according to a digital design. The usage of 3D printing offer a flexible option of manufacturing for the aerospace companies looking to produce components in small numbers and in high precision.

The Global Aerospace 3D Printing market was valued at USD 2,846.77 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a strong CAGR of around 19.84% during the forecast period (2024-2032). One of the key factors that has contributed to the growth of the Aerospace 3D Printing market is the rising demand for 3D printing in the Aerospace sector. With the emergence of space tourism and the impetus to improve satellite communication through satellite launches. With the focus on reducing the cost of space launches, many aerospace companies have started adopting 3d printing for the construction of key components of spacecraft, such as engines, structures, other components, etc. For instance, in 2024, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) announced that it launched its first 3d printed satellite with the help of PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle). According to ISRO, the 3d printing reduced the number of components in the engine from fourteen to one, reducing the overall production time by 60%.

The demand for 3d printed components used in the aerospace industry has also jumped multifold due to the leading 3d printer companies using the technology in aerospace to reduce the weight and cost for the clients. According to Materialise N.V., every kilogram put into space costs around USD 20,000, making the reduction of even small quantities crucial. Aluminum and titanium are two of the most used materials, which, in additive manufacturing, could save a notable cost on space launch. According to the company, with its 3d printing technology, it was able to reduce the insert's mass from 1450 grams to 500 grams, also reducing the challenge related to thermos-elastic stress.

Aviation is also readily adopting solutions related to 3d manufacturing. Leading aircraft manufacturing companies have started adopting 3D technology for modification and overhaul purposes. In 2023, the 60th Maintenance Squadron and 349th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron announced they recently finished work to modify an internal part for a C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft by incorporating 3D-printed materials.

Apart from this, the rapid growth of space tourism activities is also anticipated to propel the need for 3D-printed parts to reduce manufacturing costs and reduction in weight. Companies such as Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, and SpaceX are extensively investing in the usage of 3D-printed components in their spaceships.

Based on the type of offering, the global Aerospace 3D Printing market is segmented into printer and material. The printer has grabbed the company's major market share owing to the rapid adoption of printers among the leading aerospace companies. As the market for 3D printing is in the growth phase, the high cost of printers is anticipated to lead its dominant position in the coming years. However, with the high demand for 3D-printed components in the aerospace domain, the material segment would exhibit a higher growth rate.

Based on the technology, the global aerospace 3D printing market has been segmented into power bed fusion, polymerization, and fusion deposition modeling. Fusion Deposition Modeling has held the major market share. In the early stages of product development, the FDM is used to build concepts. FDM models save both money and time as the products built by FDM are ready to be integrated into the system. FDM also offers ease of working on a large number of materials, such as thermoplastic materials, including ABS, PLA, PETG, nylon, and polycarbonate, which makes it a suitable option for 3D printing in the aerospace sector. Various other benefits of using FDM, such as rapid prototyping, on-demand manufacturing, lightweight components, etc., are also notable, due to which the respective 3D printing technology is extensively used.

For a better understanding of the market adoption of Aerospace 3D Printings, the Global Aerospace 3D Printing market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Of these, the North American region held the largest share in 2023. North America has a vast aviation industry, and it is looking forward to comprehensively supporting research & development around aviation challenges and their potential technological solutions. Additionally, the region is home to some of the largest manufacturers of commercial and military jets and aerospace crafts across the globe. Considering the vast volume of production, the region is further anticipated to dominate the demand for Aerospace 3D Printing in the coming period.

Some of the major players operating in the market include 3D Systems Corporation, Stratasys, Materialise N.V., Relativity Space, Ultimaker B.V., EOS GmbH, Norsk Titanium AS, Aerojet Rocketdyne (L3harris Technology Company), The Exone Company, and Safran S.A.