Forecast: additive manufacturing market value 2012 & 2017

The worldwide market for additive manufacturing reached some 8.8 billion U.S. dollars worldwide in 2017. The demand for environmentally friendly manufacturing is expected to drive additive manufacturing and 3D printing as a method of production. By building products layer by layer, rather than forging or casting, raw materials are used more efficiently.

The rise of metal materials

Most 3D printing uses polymers, such as PLA to create plastic objects. That said, the range of printable materials is growing, and metal additive manufacturing has started seeing widespread adoption. Metal additive manufacturing may account for a quarter of the additive manufacturing market by 2022.

Applications for additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing enables the creation of highly complex objects and has become increasingly favored in manufacturing and construction. Much of additive manufacturing is used for prototyping architecture and motor vehicles, while computer numerical control machines are expected to continue dominating high-volume discrete manufacturing. However, increased printing speed and lower costs have paved the way for 3D-driven functional parts manufacturing.