Europe 3D Printing Materials Market – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2031

Europe 3D Printing Materials Market, By Type (Plastics/Polymers, Metal, Ceramic, and Others), Form (Powder, Filament, and Liquid), Technology (Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Stereolithography (SLA), Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM), Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), ColorJet, and Others), End-Use (Industrial Manufacturing, Automotive, Aerospace & Defense, Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Electronics, Education, Construction, and Others) - Industry Trends and Forecast to 2031.

Europe 3D Printing Materials Market Analysis and Size

Increased adoption of 3D printing in various industries, rise in prototyping and rapid tooling, and the expanding accessibility and affordability of 3D printing technologies universally are some of the driving factors expected to propel the market growth.

The 3D printing materials market report provides details of market share, new developments, and the impact of domestic and localized market players, analyses opportunities in terms of emerging revenue pockets, changes in market regulations, product approvals, strategic decisions, product launches, geographic expansions, and technological innovations in the market. To understand the analysis and the market scenario, contact us for an analyst brief. Our team will help you create a revenue-impact solution to achieve your desired goal.

Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the Europe 3D printing materials market is expected to reach USD 3,177,767.48 thousand by 2031, from USD 751,880.89 thousand in 2023, growing with a CAGR of 19.9% in the forecast period of 2024 to 2031.

Market Definition

The term 3D printing materials refers to the wide range of substances or materials used in additive manufacturing methods to layer by layer produce three-dimensional structures. These materials include polymers, metals, ceramics, and composites, all of which are suited to specific uses and industry needs. Instances include high-performance polymers, resins, and metal alloys, which are chosen for their mechanical qualities, thermal resistance, or biocompatibility. The variety of 3D printing materials allows for the creation of prototypes, bespoke items, and complicated structures in industries such as aerospace, healthcare, automotive, and consumer goods.

Europe 3D Printing Materials Market Dynamics

This section deals with understanding the market drivers, opportunities, challenges, and restrains. All of this is discussed in detail below:

Drivers

• Increased Adoption of 3D Printing in Various Industries

There is a corresponding surge in demand for materials that can meet the diverse requirements of this innovative manufacturing process as industries embrace the revolutionary capabilities of 3D printing. The versatility of 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, spans industries such as aerospace, healthcare, automotive, and consumer goods, where the technology is employed for rapid prototyping, customized production, and intricate design fabrication.

The factor contributing to the demand for 3D printing materials is the technology's ability to produce complex and highly customized components. Traditional manufacturing methods is not much efficient and fast as industries seek more complicated and precisely designed parts. 3D printing addresses this gap by allowing the creation of geometrically complex structures with enhanced efficiency.

The demand for specialized materials is increasing with the evolving needs of industrial sectors such as aerospace, healthcare, automotive, and consumer goods implementing this transformative technology, as 3D printing continues to revolutionize manufacturing processes. Therefore, increased adoption of 3D printing in various industries is driving the market growth.

• Rise in Prototyping and Rapid Tooling

Companies across various industries are increasingly adopting 3D printing technologies for prototyping purposes, allowing for the quick and cost-effective production of prototypes for product development and testing. This surge in prototyping activities is fueled by the ability of 3D printing to produce complex and intricate designs with high precision, enabling engineers and designers to repeat and refine their concepts rapidly. As a result, the demand for a diverse range of 3D printing materials, including polymers, metals, and ceramics, has experienced a notable hike.

Rapid tooling involves using 3D printing technologies to manufacture molds and tooling components swiftly. Traditional tooling methods can be time-consuming and expensive, especially for low-volume production. The adaptability of 3D printing in creating intricate tooling designs with reduced lead times addresses this challenge, driving its adoption in various industries such as automotive, aerospace, and healthcare.

3D printing technologies are gaining popularity in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and healthcare for rapid prototyping and tooling, enabling quick and cost-effective production of complex designs using materials such as polymers, metals, and ceramics. Therefore, rise in prototyping and rapid tooling applications is driving the market growth.

Opportunities

• Advancements in 3D Printing Technologies

Advances in 3D printing technology frequently increase the demand for different materials adapted to specific uses. This provides an opportunity for material manufacturers to provide specific solutions such as high-performance polymers, metals, ceramics, and composite materials. Technological advancements in multi-material 3D printing enable the simultaneous use of many materials inside a single print process. This capacity creates prospects for materials that can be seamlessly combined, providing greater functionality and broadening the range of applications.

There is a growing desire for new materials that can fulfill the changing needs of many industries as 3D printing becomes more sophisticated and diverse. Several major opportunities emerge from these technological breakthroughs. As technology becomes more complex and adaptable, there is a greater demand for new materials that can fulfill the changing needs of diverse industries. Hence, several major opportunities emerge from these technological breakthroughs and propel the market growth.

• Extensive Demand for Biocompatible Materials in Medical Applications

Biocompatible materials are required to create personalized implants and prosthetics based on particular patient anatomy. This requirement allows material manufacturers to create and sell biocompatible polymers, metals, and ceramics suited for implantation. Biocompatible materials are essential for the creation of personalized drug delivery systems. 3D printing enables the precise manufacture of drug-loaded structures, opening up possibilities for materials compatible with the human body and providing regulated drug release.

Biocompatible materials, such as crowns, bridges, and implants, are commonly employed in dental applications. The growing usage of 3D printing in the dental sector opens up possibilities for biocompatibility and oral aesthetics. The ultimate goal of fabrication is to produce functional organs and tissues for transplantation. Biocompatible materials are essential to this process, opening up possibilities for improved materials that can imitate genuine tissues' mechanical and biological properties.

The association of 3D printing and medical technology has resulted in an increased demand for materials that are compatible with the human body, propelling advances in biocompatible 3D printing materials. Hence, it is expected to create opportunities for market growth.

Restraints/Challenges

• Lack of Skilled Labors in 3D Printing Sector

The complexity of 3D printing materials lies in their diverse characteristics, ranging from thermal properties to compatibility with different printers. Skilled personnel are essential for navigating these complexities, ensuring that the chosen materials align with the specific requirements of each printing project. The need for expertise becomes even more pronounced as industries increasingly turn to advanced applications of 3D printing, such as aerospace components, medical implants, and automotive parts, where material specifications are stringent and demand a deep understanding of material science.

The complexities of 3D printing technology require an advanced understanding of various materials, including polymers, metals, and ceramics, to optimize the printing process. Skilled personnel are crucial in selecting the right materials for specific applications, ensuring compatibility with diverse 3D printing technologies, and achieving desired outcomes. The shortage of such skilled professionals constrains the market's growth. Therefore, lack of skilled labors in 3D printing sector is restraining the market growth.

• High Costs Associated with Advanced or Specialty 3D Printing Materials

Advanced and specialized 3D printing materials frequently require significant research and development efforts. The expenditures of developing and testing new materials with specific features, such as increased strength, biocompatibility, or conductivity, add to the total expense. Advanced or specialty materials often involve expensive research, development, and production processes, limiting accessibility for some industries and hindering the widespread use of 3D printing technologies. Advanced 3D printing formulas rely on expensive raw ingredients such as specialty polymers, metals, and composite materials. Sourcing high-quality, precisely designed raw materials to meet firm criteria elevates production costs.

Advanced 3D printing materials can be manufactured using specialist equipment under precision manufacturing circumstances. The expenditures of maintaining and operating such equipment add to the overall high manufacturing costs. Improved 3D printing materials can be prohibitively expensive for end users, whether they are enterprises or consumers. Affordability is an important factor in the adoption of 3D printing technology, and excessive material costs could hinder market growth. Thus, the high costs of some advanced or specialty 3D printing materials is expected to challenge market growth.

Recent Developments

• In October 2023, EOS launched its Digital Foam Architects network, designed to accelerate the development and additive manufacturing (AM) of consumer, medical and industrial products featuring Digital Foam applications. Digital Foam is not a product, rather it is an approach to 3D printing foam-like products. It will provide a new direction to the company in 3D printing materials
• In October 2023, Arkema announced new partnerships with industry leaders such as EOS, HP and Stratasys to design the next generation of 3D printed materials and solutions. This will favour their innovative capabilities and enhance their product portfolio
• In February 2023, Bauer Hockey, the Europe leader in hockey equipment innovation, and industrial 3D printing industry pioneer and market leader, EOS, have collaborated to incorporate additive manufacturing (AM, or 3D printing) into Bauer’s MyBauer custom equipment program. EOS and its patented Digital Foam approach to printing polymers gave Bauer a distinct advantage. It will strengthen the market presence for EOS in the Europe 3D printing materials market
• In November 2021, Covestro AG introduced four new 3D printing materials at Formnext 2021, covering diverse technologies. Among them is Addigy FPC SOL1 HT, a soluble support material for FDM printing of high-temperature materials, offering easy removal and sustainability. Arnitel AM3001 (P) for SLS, a soft material with high energy return, achieved successful 3D printing with compliance with Toy Safety standards. Covestro also launched SLS and HSS versions of its TPU powder, Addigy PPU 86AW6, known for rebound, easy post-processing, and high reuse rate. These additions expand Covestro's polymer choices for 3D printing, following its acquisition of DSM's additive manufacturing business earlier this year
• In November 2019, BASF New Business GmbH agreed to acquire the online 3D printing service provider Sculpteo. The agreement was signed on November 14, 2019 and was expected to become effective in the next few weeks pending regulatory approval by the relevant authorities. The acquisition of the French 3D printing specialist based in Paris and San Francisco had enabled BASF 3D Printing Solutions GmbH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BASF New Business GmbH, to market and establish new industrial 3D printing materials more quickly which strengthened the production capacity of BASF

Europe 3D Printing Materials Market Scope

The Europe 3D printing materials market is categorized based on type, form, technology, and end-use.The growth amongst these segments will help you analyze major growth segments in the industries and provide the users with a valuable market overview and market insights to make strategic decisions to identify core market applications.

Type

• Plastics/Polymers
• Metal
• Ceramic
• Others

On the basis of type, the Europe 3D printing materials market is segmented into plastics/polymers, metal, ceramic, and others.

Form

• Powder
• Filament
• Liquid

On the basis of form, the Europe 3D printing materials market is segmented into powder, filament, and liquid.

Technology

• Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
• Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
• Stereolithography (SLA)
• Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)
• Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM)
• Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM)
• ColorJet
• Others

On the basis of technology, the Europe 3D printing materials market is segmented into Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Stereolithography (SLA), Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM), Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), colorjet, and others.

End-Use

• Industrial Manufacturing
• Automotive
• Aerospace & Defense
• Healthcare
• Consumer Goods
• Electronics
• Education
• Construction
• Others

On the basis of end-use, the Europe 3D printing materials market is segmented into industrial manufacturing, automotive, aerospace & defense, healthcare, consumer goods, electronics, education, construction, and others.

Europe 3D Printing Materials Market Regional Analysis/Insights

The Europe 3D printing materials market is segmented on the basis of type, form, technology, and end-use.

The countries covered in Europe 3D printing materials market report are Germany, Italy, U.K., France, Spain, Turkey, Russia, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, and rest of Europe.

Germany is expected to dominate the Europe 3D printing materials market due to expanding accessibility and affordability of 3D printing technologies in the country.

The country section of the report also provides individual market-impacting factors and changes in market regulation that impact the current and future trends of the market. Data point downstream and upstream value chain analysis, technical trends porter's five forces analysis, and case studies are some of the pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. Also, the presence and availability of regional brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, the impact of domestic tariffs, and trade routes are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.

Europe 3D Printing Materials Market Competitive Landscape and Market Share Analysis

The Europe 3D printing materials market competitive landscape provides details by competitors. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, production sites and facilities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product trials pipelines, product approvals, patents, product width and breadth, application dominance, technology lifeline curve. The above data points provided are only related to the companies’ focus related to the market.

Some of the major players operating in the Europe 3D printing materials market are Formlabs, EOS, ENVISIONTEC US LLC, American Elements, Höganäs AB, UltiMaker, Carbon, Inc., KRAIBURG TPE GmbH & Co. KG, Covestro AG, Markforged, Inc., Stratasys, ExOne, Arkema, 3D Systems, Inc., Evonik Industries AG, Materialise, BASF SE, Sandvik AB, and Solvay, among others.