The popularity and embrace of 3D printing has been increasing for years. However, growth is being hampered this year by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affects many sectors that have traditionally embraced additive manufacturing on a relatively large scale. However, the long-term outlook remains positive.
This reports research firm IDTechEx in its report '3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing 2020-2030: COVID Edition'. In the report, the research firm zooms in on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 3D printing market. In addition, the firm looks ahead to the next decade.
Several sectors that have traditionally embraced 3D printing have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. These include the automotive, aerospace and industrial sectors. However, IDTechEx expects these sectors to rebound after the pandemic, which will also revive the embrace of 3D printing.
Switching point
IDTechEx reports that COVID-19 comes at a turning point in the development of 3D printing. The technology originally dates back to the early 1980s. After a key patent expired in 2009, the embrace of the technology took off; within a few years, the technology was affordable enough for use by entrepreneurs and hobbyists alike.
A wide range of 3D printing technologies are available today. Initially, fused deposit modelling was mainly used, where a layer of plastic filament is printed onto a print bed each time. The technique thereby builds up an object layer by layer. However, the technology has limitations when it comes to accuracy and the robustness of objects produced.
More materials
Among other things, other technologies make it possible to print in other materials as well. These include metal, carbon fibre or glass fibre, as well as materials incorporating wood. The advent of new materials makes 3D printing more interesting for more sectors, which are increasingly replacing traditional production processes with 3D printing.
In addition, IDTechEx points to the increased accuracy with which objects can be printed. For example, the latest generation of printers is now capable of working with sizes thinner than a human hair. 3D printing is thus becoming interesting for more and more industrial sectors. The technology is also increasingly used in critical environments, such as the medical sector or the aviation industry.
Particularly popular in Western Europe and the US
IDTechEx notes that 3D printing is relatively widely used in Western Europe and the United States in particular. The embrace varies greatly by sector and country.
In addition, the research firm points out that an ecosystem has emerged around the 3D printing market. This ecosystem includes parties that develop printable material for 3D printers and companies that, for example, post-process printed objects. IDTechEx leaves open what the long-term future looks like for these companies. It is not only the current COVID-19 pandemic that is putting pressure on the parties, but also the increasing quality and accuracy of printed objects. As a result, prints, for example, require less and less post-processing.
19% lower sales
MarketsandMarkets also mapped the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 3D printing market in August ago. The research firm expects the market's 2020 results to be more than 19% lower than expected before the pandemic. Interestingly, 3D printers, in particular, have actually increased their use substantially in the first quarter of 2020. Partly as part of the fight against the pandemic, for example, by printing holders for mouth caps and other devices. However, the deployment of 3D printers here was mostly free of charge, so this is not reflected in the market's sales figures.
Although MarketsandMarkets points to negative effects due to the pandemic, there are also certain positive effects. For instance, supplier chains were disrupted for some time due to lockdowns related to the pandemic earlier this year. This forced companies to explore alternative manufacturing technologies, of which 3D printing is one.
Lasting impact
The research firm predicts that the COVID-19 pandemic will have a lasting impact on expectations for the market until 2025. For instance, expected sales in 2025 are expected to peak as much as USD 6.3 billion lower than predicted ahead of the pandemic. While these figures are negative, MarketsandMarkets notes that the impact on the 3D printing market is significantly more limited than in other markets.
More information on IDTechEx's research can be found here. For more information on MarketsandMarkets' research, see here.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
