In 2024, the 3D printing industry is showing some notable trends:
1. **MARKET GROWTH**: The 3D printing market is predicted to grow at a higher than expected CAGR, demonstrating market confidence and the continued maturity of the 3D printing industry. The 3D printing market is expected to grow to $57.1 billion by 2028.
2. **Technological Advancements**: 3D printing technology is rapidly evolving to include faster print speeds, larger print sizes, and improved stability.
3. **EXPANDED APPLICATIONS**: 3D printing applications have expanded from prototyping to include research and development, production of end-use parts, and even construction. Industries such as aerospace, automotive, healthcare and consumer goods are utilizing 3D printing to increase efficiency and save costs.
4. **Materials Innovation**: The range of materials available for 3D printing has increased dramatically, with developments in metals, ceramics and composites, in addition to plastics/polymers, opening up new possibilities for high-performance applications.
5. **Supply chain innovation**: 3D printing is increasingly being integrated into production applications to mitigate the impact of supply chain disruptions. It makes it possible to localize manufacturing, thus reducing logistics costs, the number of suppliers, and the environmental impact.
6. **Applications in healthcare**: The production of medical devices, especially at the point of care, is increasingly relying on 3D printing technology. Hospitals and surgery centers are investing in 3D printing solutions to produce personalized medical devices.
7. **Consumer goods innovation**: The consumer goods industry, especially electronics, is increasingly adopting 3D printing to accelerate product development and innovation.
8. **Sustainability Concerns**: 3D printing plays an important role in improving the sustainability of manufacturing processes, such as on-demand production, reduction of material waste and optimization of lightweight designs.
9. **Emerging Technologies**: The 3D printing industry is witnessing the development of new technologies, such as multi-material printing, continuous liquid interface production (CLIP), bioprinting, and 4D printing, which have the potential to revolutionize and create new opportunities in various industries.
These trends show that 3D printing technology is not only continuing to mature, but is also playing an increasingly important role across multiple industries.