Europe's 3D Printing Materials  Market Size (2024-2030)

The Europe 3D Printing Materials Market was valued at USD 531.03 billion and is projected to reach a market size of USD 1345.18 billion by the end of 2030. Over the forecast period of 2024-2030, the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.2%. 

3D printing technology was introduced in Europe during the early 2000s and was essentially used for prototyping in heavy industries and often for the production of end-use materials. However, continuous research and innovation in 3D printing materials developed the market landscape for 3D printing materials in the region. Furthermore, the development of materials such as ceramics, carbon fiber, composites, and others increased the applications of 3D printing in other industries such as automotive, aerospace, fashion, and healthcare. In addition, trends in sustainable production led to the development of new biocompatible materials that pose less harm to the environment. Furthermore, the future for 3D printing materials holds positive as developments take place in technology with the increased use of AI in assuring the quality control of 3D printing materials in the region.

Key Market Insights:

• £13.7 million was awarded to innovative projects of 3D printing companies in the UK by the UK government, including the LEAD Factory’s technology for allowing products made from recycled materials.
• According to the EPO (European Patent Office) report, 3D printing has grown at a rate of 26.3% each year between 2013 and 2020.
• Furthermore, according to EPO, Germany accounts for 41% of Europe’s share in the 3D printing industry.

Europe 3D Printing Materials Market Drivers:

Increasing advancements in the materials industry have boosted the demand for 3D printing materials in Europe.

Continuous research and development in the industry by various companies and manufacturers have contributed to the development of the materials industry, particularly the 3D printing industry. These include the development of eco-friendly and biocompatible materials that do not pose harm to the environment and offer high-strength, heat and chemical resistance, durability, and flexibility to various structures in the region’s market. Moreover, the rapidly booming aerospace and automotive industry of the region has induced manufacturers to create lightweight and high-strength components from biocompatible printing materials in the market. In addition, trends in resin-based 3D printing have increased the usage of photopolymers and resins in the dental industry for end-use products and devices such as retainers.

The increasing demand from the fashion industry has boosted the demand for 3D printing materials in Europe.

3D printing materials are widely used in the fashion industry for creating footwear, clothing prototypes, jewelry, and other accessories, as these materials offer increased customization to the manufacturers that allow them to customize the designs of the products quickly and efficiently. Moreover, increasing demand for personalized fashion has boosted the demand for 3D printing materials such as nylon, TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) filament, and others. Furthermore, growing trends in sustainable fashion in countries such as Italy and France, have further driven the demand for 3D printing materials, as they minimize material wastage while manufacturing various fabrics. In addition, the footwear sector has gained momentum in the region due to rising trends in Gen-Z shoes that provide increased comfort and enhanced aesthetic appeal to consumers.

Europe 3D Printing Materials Market Restraints and Challenges:

Environmental concerns can decrease the demand for 3D printing materials in the Europe market. The production and manufacturing of 3D printing materials require an intense amount of energy and resources that can increase energy consumption in the environment and thus decline the demand for 3D printing products in the region.

The expensive cost of materials can decrease the demand for 3D printing materials in Europe. Materials such as metal-based 3D printing materials can raise the production cost and ultimately the final price of the product to the customer, leading to a decline in demand for 3D printing materials in the region.

Europe 3D Printing Materials Market Opportunities:

The market for 3D printing materials in Europe is witnessing rapid growth, as continuous developments take place in the materials production technology and the incorporation of AI increases in the manufacturing and designing of various components in industries. Moreover, growing environmental concerns such as resource depletion and excessive use of energy in the region, have led to the development of biocompatible 3D printing materials that witnessed an increased demand from the medical industry for making anatomical models, surgical guides, and others, thus opening new doors of opportunities for the 3D printing industry in Europe.

EUROPE 3D PRINTING MATERIALS MARKET REPORT COVERAGE:

Europe 3D Printing Materials Market Segmentation Analysis

Europe 3D Printing Materials Market Segmentation: By Type of Material

• Polymers
• Ceramics
• Metals
• Composites
• Others

In 2022, based on market segmentation by type of material, polymers occupied the highest share of about 36% in the region. Polymers are widely used as a 3D printing material due to their versatility, excellent mechanical, and low melting temperature qualities. Moreover, there are various types of polymers used in 3D printing as per the industry’s requirements. These include polylactic acid, which is used in 3D printing and prototyping, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene used in 3D printing in the consumer goods sector, use of nylon as a 3D printing material in machine parts and snap-fit components in the aerospace and automotive sector of the European region, and others.

Ceramics is the fastest-growing segment during the forecast period. Ceramics are increasingly used as a 3D printing material in various industries due to their heat-resistant and biocompatible properties. Zirconia, a ceramic 3D printing material is widely used in the medical and healthcare industry for making dental crowns, prosthetics, implants, and bridges as they provide an enhanced visual appearance. Moreover, ceramics find increased applications in the aerospace industry for the manufacturing of aircraft components.

Europe 3D Printing Materials Market Segmentation: By End-User

• Automotive
• Aerospace
• Healthcare
• Fashion
• Industrial & Manufacturing
• Consumer Goods
• Others

In 2022, based on market segmentation by end-user industry, automotive occupied the highest share of about 37% in the market. 3D printing materials have witnessed an increase in the European market due to the increasing demand for aesthetically pleasing, lightweight, and high-strength materials in the region. Furthermore, they are used in making prototypes, manufacturing car components, tooling, scale models of parts, making end-use products, and others. Moreover, it offers increased customization capabilities to the car designer and manufacturer that enable them to customize the size, shape, and color of the car as per the requirements. In addition, 3D printing materials help eliminate waste that is generated during the manufacturing process of car components in the region.

The healthcare segment is the segment that is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. 3D printing materials such as ceramics (zirconia) are increasingly used in the dental industry of the region for making dental implants, crowns, and other materials, as they enhance the visual appeal of the teeth. Moreover, biocompatible polycarbonate engineering thermoplastic is increasingly used in the fused deposition modeling printing technique for making surgical guides, molds, and prototypes in the healthcare industry of the region.

Europe 3D Printing Materials Market Segmentation: Regional Analysis:

• UK
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of the Europe

In 2022, based on market segmentation by region, the UK occupied the highest share of about 38% in the market. Increasing awareness regarding sustainable production and manufacturing in various industries, and increasing demand for 3D printing materials from the research sector for developing prototypes and for testing new products has contributed to the demand for 3D printing materials in the country.

Germany is the fastest-growing country during the forecast period. The presence of a technologically advanced and well-established automotive sector with increasing demand for creating prototypes and manufacturing mechanical components of cars has contributed to the demand for 3D printing materials in the country.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis on the Europe 3D Printing Materials Market

The pandemic had a significant impact on the 3D printing materials market in Europe. On one hand, supply chain disruptions raised problems of production and distribution delays in the region that affected the usage of 3D printing materials in various industries. Moreover, the sourcing of natural materials, as a result of increasing trends in sustainable production witnessed a slowdown due to travel restrictions across geographical borders. However, 3D printing materials products were increasingly demanded in the healthcare sector for the prototyping of medical devices, for research purposes, and for producing diagnosis equipment for collecting patients’ samples and studying patient’s health conditions during the pandemic.

Latest Developments:

• In August 2023, Anker Innovations launched 3D printer called – M5C 3D printeris. The product will enable users to customize functions with single or double-click and long-press actions using the AnkerMake app. Moreover, functions offered by this product include printing, re-printing, leveling, homing, pausing, and stopping the printer with a single click. Furthermore, customers residing in the UK will be able to pre-order the printer on the company’s website and via Amazon by paying £399 and £499 respectively.

Key Players:

1. 3D Systems
2. Leapfrog
3. Materialise NV
4. Formlabs
5. Hubs
6. Sculpteo
7. Stratasys
8. Renishaw
9. Lancashire 3D
10. FKM Additive Manufacturing