3D Printing Materials Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

The 3D Printing Materials Market Report Segments the Industry by Material Type (Plastics, Metals, Ceramics, and Other Materials), Form (Powder, Filament, and Liquid/Resin), End-User Industry (Aerospace and Defense, Automotive, Medical, Consumer Electronics, and Other End-User Industries), and Geography (Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, and More). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

3D Printing Materials Market Size and Share

3D Printing Materials Market (2025 - 2030)
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3D Printing Materials Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The 3D printing materials market reached USD 2.99 billion in 2025 and is forecast to rise to USD 8.10 billion by 2030, advancing at a 22.05% CAGR. This expansion reflects the migration of additive manufacturing from a prototyping resource to a validated production tool across aerospace, automotive, and healthcare supply chains. Aerospace primes continue to qualify titanium, nickel, and aluminum powders for serial production, while medical device makers secure regulatory clearances for patient-specific polymers and metals. Automotive OEMs accelerate adoption of lightweight electric-vehicle components and tooling efficiencies. Rapid material innovation lowers cycle times, improves part performance, and opens new revenue streams for chemical companies and printer vendors. Competitive strategies now center on tight integrating hardware, software, and consumables to lock in repeat material revenue.

Key Report Takeaways

  • By material type, plastics retained 47.25% of the 3D printing materials market share in 2024; metals are projected to record the fastest 23.24% CAGR to 2030.
  • By form, filament captured 68.42% revenue share of the 3D printing materials market in 2024 and is expected to expand at a 23.51% CAGR through 2030.
  • By end-user industry, aerospace and defense accounted for 36.28% share of the 3D printing materials market size in 2024, while automotive is anticipated to grow at 24.87% CAGR between 2025-2030.
  • By geography, North America led with a 39.46% share in 2024; Asia-Pacific is set to deliver the highest 26.25% CAGR to 2030. 

Segment Analysis

By Material Type: Metals Accelerate Despite Polymer Dominance

Plastics led the 3D printing materials market with a 47.25% share in 2024, reflecting their cost advantage and compatibility with both consumer and industrial printers. The segment covers commodity grades such as ABS and PLA as well as engineering polymers capable of withstanding sterilization or high-temperature service. Demand scales in tandem with desktop printer shipments and professional fused-filament installations. The plastics segment benefits from continued improvements in color fidelity, flame retardancy, and mechanical performance, which keep desktop users engaged and industrial users satisfied with validated data sets.

Although holding a smaller base, metals are on track for a 23.24% CAGR to 2030, the fastest in the 3D printing materials market. Certified titanium, aluminum, and nickel super-alloy powders enable weight-critical aero-engine brackets, orthopaedic implants, and racing-car brake calipers. Ceramics and waxes occupy specialized niches such as investment casting shells and high-temperature electronics.

3D Printing Materials Market
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Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Form: Filament Dominance Reflects Desktop Market Expansion

Filament captured 68.42% revenue share of the 3D printing materials market in 2024 and is forecast to grow at 23.51% CAGR on the back of hobbyist, education, and engineering-office adoption. Drop-in spool economics and the ubiquity of fused-filament fabrication drive frequent repeat purchases. The powder form remains indispensable for metal and polymer laser sintering applications where narrow particle-size distributions guarantee surface finish and mechanical integrity. 

The liquid/resin segment supports stereolithography and digital light-processing platforms targeting dental models, microfluidic chips, and investment casting patterns. Photo-curable recipes with low residual monomer and improved UV stability promoted sizeable uptake in 2025, especially for chairside dental workflows. Although resin sales trail filament and powder volumes, a higher price per kilogram sustains a healthy revenue contribution to the overall 3D printing materials market size. Continuous innovation in low-odor, bio-derived photopolymers is expected to narrow the performance gap with engineering thermoplastics over the forecast horizon.

By End-user Industry: Automotive Overtakes Aerospace in Growth

Aerospace and defense commanded a 36.28% share of the 3D printing materials market in 2024 as OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers validated powdered metals for airframe brackets, ducting, and lightweight cabin interiors. Formal qualification programs underpin consistent repeat volumes and high margins for powder producers. The segment’s entrenched standards shield incumbents from commoditization pressures often felt in lower-spec polymer markets.

The automotive segment is poised for the fastest 24.87% CAGR through 2030, overtaking historical aerospace momentum as electrification and personalized interiors proliferate. Mass-produced EVs benefit from consolidated cooling plates, battery housings, and wire harness supports printed in high-strength polymers or aluminum. Early tooling successes expanded credibility for end-use parts, unlocking larger bill-of-materials opportunities. Consumer electronics and energy machinery provide additional corridors for future revenue as material performance envelopes broaden across the 3D printing materials market.

3D Printing Materials Market
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Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

Geography Analysis

North America maintained leadership with 39.46% of the 3D printing materials market in 2024, supported by a robust aerospace supply chain, surgeon-led implant innovation, and federal funding channels such as the America Makes consortium. Material vendors leverage proximity to Tier-1 airframers and medical device clusters to co-develop application-specific powders and polymers. The region also hosts several powder recyclers that capture metal swarf and convert it into qualified additive feedstock, reducing dependence on virgin imports.

Asia-Pacific delivered the highest 26.25% CAGR and is projected to remain the growth engine through 2030. China dominates entry-level printer exports, providing cost advantages for bio-based polymers. Europe balances strong research and development capability with some of the strictest environmental regulations worldwide. The EU’s circular-economy directives encourage recycled feedstock adoption, positioning bio-derived PLA and PA11 for accelerated volume gains. 

3D Printing Materials Market
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Competitive Landscape

The 3D printing materials market shows moderate fragmentation. Chemical majors such as BASF, Evonik, and Arkema leverage extensive polymer portfolios and global logistics networks to secure multiyear supply contracts with printer OEMs. Equipment vendors like Stratasys and 3D Systems pursue vertical integration, bundling proprietary powders and filaments with process-parameter databases to lock in recurring consumable sales. 

3D Printing Materials Industry Leaders

  1. 3D Systems, Inc.

  2. EOS GmbH

  3. Stratasys 

  4. General Electric Company

  5. Materialise 

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
3D Printing Materials Market - Market Concentration
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Recent Industry Developments

  • April 2025: HP Development Company, L.P. announced commercial availability of HP 3D HR PA 12 FR, a halogen-free, flame-retardant polymer powder for 3D printing developed with Evonik for Multi Jet Fusion systems.
  • February 2024: Evonik Industries AG launched a new photopolymer resin, INFINAM FR 4100L, that is flame retardant and mechanically durable when cured, designed for use with DLP 3D printers.

Table of Contents for 3D Printing Materials Industry Report

1. Introduction

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. Research Methodology

3. Executive Summary

4. Market Landscape

  • 4.1 Market Overview
  • 4.2 Market Drivers
    • 4.2.1 Surge in Metal Powder Usage for Serial Aerospace and Medical Production
    • 4.2.2 Rapid Advances in High-performance Polymers
    • 4.2.3 Surge in Demand from Automotive Application
    • 4.2.4 Mass-customization Momentum in Healthcare and Consumer Goods
    • 4.2.5 Increase in the Adoption of Bio-based/Biodegradable Feedstocks
  • 4.3 Market Restraints
    • 4.3.1 High Equipment and Material Cost
    • 4.3.2 Stringent Certification for Aerospace and Medical Grades
    • 4.3.3 Availability of Limited Types of Materials
  • 4.4 Value Chain Analysis
  • 4.5 Porter's Five Forces
    • 4.5.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.5.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
    • 4.5.3 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.5.4 Threat of Substitutes
    • 4.5.5 Degree of Competition

5. Market Size and Growth Forecasts (Value)

  • 5.1 By Material Type
    • 5.1.1 Plastics
    • 5.1.1.1 Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
    • 5.1.1.2 Polylactic Acid (PLA)
    • 5.1.1.3 Nylon
    • 5.1.1.4 Polyamide
    • 5.1.1.5 Polycarbonate
    • 5.1.1.6 Other Plastics (Composites, Biodegradable Polymers, etc.)
    • 5.1.2 Metals
    • 5.1.3 Ceramics
    • 5.1.4 Other Materials (Gases, Waxes)
  • 5.2 By Form
    • 5.2.1 Powder
    • 5.2.2 Filament
    • 5.2.3 Liquid/Resin
  • 5.3 By End-user Industry
    • 5.3.1 Aerospace and Defense
    • 5.3.2 Automotive
    • 5.3.3 Medical
    • 5.3.4 Consumer Electronics
    • 5.3.5 Others (Energy and Power, Industrial Machinery, etc.)
  • 5.4 By Geography
    • 5.4.1 Asia-Pacific
    • 5.4.1.1 China
    • 5.4.1.2 Japan
    • 5.4.1.3 South Korea
    • 5.4.1.4 India
    • 5.4.1.5 Singapore
    • 5.4.1.6 Rest of Asia-Pacific
    • 5.4.2 North America
    • 5.4.2.1 United States
    • 5.4.2.2 Canada
    • 5.4.2.3 Mexico
    • 5.4.3 Europe
    • 5.4.3.1 Germany
    • 5.4.3.2 United Kingdom
    • 5.4.3.3 France
    • 5.4.3.4 Italy
    • 5.4.3.5 Russia
    • 5.4.3.6 Rest of Europe
    • 5.4.4 South America
    • 5.4.4.1 Brazil
    • 5.4.4.2 Argentina
    • 5.4.4.3 Rest of South America
    • 5.4.5 Middle-East and Africa
    • 5.4.5.1 Saudi Arabia
    • 5.4.5.2 South Africa
    • 5.4.5.3 Rest of Middle-East and Africa

6. Competitive Landscape

  • 6.1 Market Concentration
  • 6.2 Strategic Moves
  • 6.3 Market Share (%)/Ranking Analysis
  • 6.4 Company Profiles (includes Global level Overview, Market-level Overview, Core Segments, Financials as available, Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share, Products and Services, Recent Developments)
    • 6.4.1 3D Systems, Inc.
    • 6.4.2 Arkema
    • 6.4.3 BASF
    • 6.4.4 CRP TECHNOLOGY S.r.l.
    • 6.4.5 Custom Resin Solutions
    • 6.4.6 EnvisionTEC US LLC
    • 6.4.7 EOS GmbH
    • 6.4.8 Evonik Industries AG
    • 6.4.9 General Electric Company
    • 6.4.10 Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    • 6.4.11 Höganäs AB
    • 6.4.12 HP Development Company, L.P.
    • 6.4.13 Materialise
    • 6.4.14 Renishaw plc
    • 6.4.15 Sandvik AB
    • 6.4.16 Solvay
    • 6.4.17 Stratasys
    • 6.4.18 voxeljet AG

7. Market Opportunities and Future Outlook

  • 7.1 White-space and Unmet-Need Assessment
  • 7.2 Introduction of New Materials, like Graphene Opens Up New Applications
  • 7.3 Adoption of 3D Printing Technology in Home Printing
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Global 3D Printing Materials Market Report Scope

3D printing materials are generally used in 3D printing applications, such as manufacturing different parts using a computer-created design. 3D printing materials have distinctive properties, textures, features, and types that allow for choices for the particular project. The 3D printing materials market is segmented by material type, form, end-user industry, and geography. By material type, the market is segmented into plastics (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polylactic acid (PLA), nylon, polyamide, polycarbonates, and other plastics), ceramics, metals, and other material types. The market is segmented by form into powder, filament, and liquid. The end-user industry segments the market into automotive, medical, aerospace and defense, consumer electronics, and other industries. The report also covers the market sizes and forecasts for the 3D printing materials market in 17 countries across the major regions. Market sizing and forecasts have been done for each segment based on revenue (USD).

By Material Type Plastics Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
Polylactic Acid (PLA)
Nylon
Polyamide
Polycarbonate
Other Plastics (Composites, Biodegradable Polymers, etc.)
Metals
Ceramics
Other Materials (Gases, Waxes)
By Form Powder
Filament
Liquid/Resin
By End-user Industry Aerospace and Defense
Automotive
Medical
Consumer Electronics
Others (Energy and Power, Industrial Machinery, etc.)
By Geography Asia-Pacific China
Japan
South Korea
India
Singapore
Rest of Asia-Pacific
North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe Germany
United Kingdom
France
Italy
Russia
Rest of Europe
South America Brazil
Argentina
Rest of South America
Middle-East and Africa Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Rest of Middle-East and Africa
By Material Type
Plastics Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
Polylactic Acid (PLA)
Nylon
Polyamide
Polycarbonate
Other Plastics (Composites, Biodegradable Polymers, etc.)
Metals
Ceramics
Other Materials (Gases, Waxes)
By Form
Powder
Filament
Liquid/Resin
By End-user Industry
Aerospace and Defense
Automotive
Medical
Consumer Electronics
Others (Energy and Power, Industrial Machinery, etc.)
By Geography
Asia-Pacific China
Japan
South Korea
India
Singapore
Rest of Asia-Pacific
North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe Germany
United Kingdom
France
Italy
Russia
Rest of Europe
South America Brazil
Argentina
Rest of South America
Middle-East and Africa Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Rest of Middle-East and Africa
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Key Questions Answered in the Report

What is the current size of the 3D printing materials market?

The 3D printing materials market is valued at USD 2.99 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 8.10 billion by 2030.

Which material type is growing fastest in the 3D printing materials market?

Metal powders are expanding at a 23.24% CAGR through 2030, outpacing polymers and ceramics.

Why is Asia-Pacific considered the fastest-growing region?

Government incentives, large PLA production capacity and expanding aerospace partnerships are pushing Asia-Pacific toward a 26.25% CAGR.

What major restraint could slow market adoption?

High capital expense for industrial printers and volatile feedstock pricing currently subtract an estimated 3.7% from potential CAGR.

How are companies addressing sustainability in 3D printing materials?

Suppliers introduce bio-based polymers, recycled powders and closed-loop powder handling to cut waste and comply with EU circular-economy regulations.

Page last updated on: June 24, 2025

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