Polymer Additive Manufacturing Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Offering (Hardware, Materials, Services), Technology (FDM, SLA, SLS, Polyjet, Binder Jetting), End User (Consumer, Electronics, Healthcare, Automotive, Aerospace & Defense) - Forecast to 2031

The Polymer Additive Manufacturing Market was valued at $11.95 billion in 2023. This market is expected to reach $36.19 billion by 2031 from an estimated $13.55 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 15.1% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2031.

Polymer Additive Manufacturing Size & Forecast

The growth of this market is driven by the benefits offered by polymer additive manufacturing such as cost efficiency and reduction in material waste; customization and design flexibility; reduction in lead time; lower labor costs; and sustainability and environmental impact. Moreover, customization and personalization; supply chain resilience and on-demand production; reduced material waste and cost-efficiency; advancements in bioprinting and healthcare; and collaborations and industry partnerships are expected to create market growth opportunities.

Key Findings

• By Offering: In 2024, the Services Segment Dominated the Polymer Additive Manufacturing Market
• By Technology: In 2024, the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Segment Accounted for the Largest Share of the Polymer Additive Manufacturing Market     
• By End User: In 2024, the Consumer Products Segment Accounted for the Largest Share of the Polymer Additive Manufacturing Market    
• By Geography: North America Dominated the Polymer Additive Manufacturing Market in 2024

Polymer Additive Manufacturing Market Drivers

Cost Efficiency and Reduction in Material Waste

One of the most prominent drivers of the polymer additive manufacturing (AM) market is the ability to reduce manufacturing costs and material waste. In traditional manufacturing processes like subtractive manufacturing, the material is cut away from a larger block, often resulting in significant material waste. On the other hand, additive manufacturing builds parts layer by layer from digital files, minimizing waste by only using the exact amount of material required for the object. This not only reduces material costs but also provides cost-effective low-volume production for industries with highly customized parts.

The cost savings are especially apparent when it comes to manufacturing complex geometries. 3D printing technologies allow companies to produce highly intricate designs without requiring expensive molds, tooling, or time-consuming assembly. As a result, even small manufacturers can afford to produce parts previously only feasible for large-scale manufacturers, lowering the barriers to entry for many industries.

A report by Deloitte titled "3D Printing and the Future of Manufacturing" (2020) highlights that companies using additive manufacturing to replace traditional manufacturing techniques have been able to reduce material costs by up to 70% in certain applications. This is especially true in industries like automotive and aerospace, where additive manufacturing allows for the creation of complex parts with optimized material usage, ultimately reducing production costs.

Additionally, polymer additive manufacturing offers considerable savings in terms of tooling costs. A report by Wohlers Associates states that 3D printing technologies have the potential to reduce tooling costs for part production by up to 90% because there is no need for traditional molds or dies.

Polymer Additive Manufacturing Market Trends

Rise of Biodegradable and Sustainable Materials

As sustainability becomes increasingly important across industries, there has been a noticeable trend toward the development and adoption of biodegradable and eco-friendly materials for polymer additive manufacturing. This includes materials made from renewable resources, recycled plastics, and biodegradable polymers. This trend is particularly significant in industries like consumer goods, packaging, and healthcare, where there is increasing demand for environmentally friendly solutions.

The growth of bio-based polymers, such as PLA (Polylactic Acid), which is derived from renewable resources like corn starch or sugarcane, has led to more sustainable 3D printing solutions. Similarly, recycled filament made from discarded plastics is being introduced to reduce the reliance on virgin materials, aligning with the broader goal of a circular economy.

The market for bio-based and biodegradable 3D printing materials is mainly driven by growing demand from industries such as packaging, healthcare, and consumer goods. This trend is reinforced by companies like MakerBot and 3D Systems, which have expanded their offerings of sustainable 3D printing filaments. For instance, companies like NatureWorks (the largest producer of PLA), and Filabot (which creates recycled filament) are increasingly popular among industries looking to adopt sustainable 3D printing materials. The trend is also gaining traction in the automotive and aerospace sectors, where manufacturers are experimenting with biocomposites and biopolymers to reduce the environmental footprint of components.

Polymer Additive Manufacturing Market Opportunities  

Customization and Personalization

One of the most significant opportunities in the polymer additive manufacturing (AM) market is the growing demand for customization and personalization across various industries. Traditional manufacturing methods, such as injection molding or CNC machining, often struggle to accommodate the high variability in designs and the need for personalized products. However, 3D printing allows manufacturers to easily produce tailored solutions for customers, offering a substantial competitive advantage.

In industries such as healthcare, consumer goods, and fashion, polymer additive manufacturing enables the production of customized medical devices, orthopedic implants, and wearable technology with precise specifications. For example, custom prosthetics, orthodontic devices, and surgical implants can be 3D-printed based on a patient's unique anatomy, ensuring a better fit, improved comfort, and more effective treatment.

Companies like Stratasys and Materialise are already capitalizing on this opportunity by providing additive manufacturing solutions for custom prosthetics, implants, and orthotic devices. For example, Stratasys' J750 Digital Anatomy Printer is already enabling personalized surgical planning and customized medical devices tailored to individual patients. In consumer goods, companies such as Nike and Adidas have adopted 3D printing for custom footwear and sportswear, where customers can personalize designs, colors, and performance features.

Polymer Additive Manufacturing Market Analysis: Top Market Opportunity

By Offering: In 2024, the Services Segment Dominated the Polymer Additive Manufacturing Market

Based on offering, the polymer additive manufacturing market is segmented into services, hardware, software, and materials. In 2024, the services segment accounted for the largest share of the polymer additive manufacturing market. The large market share of this segment is primarily attributed to the increased need for specialized, customized products in industries like aerospace, healthcare, and automotive, along with the ability to outsource production without significant capital investment.

Moreover, this segment is also projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period of 2024–2031. This growth is driven by the rise of end-to-end service providers and increased accessibility of 3D printing technologies.

By End User: The Automotive Segment to Witness Rapid Growth During the Forecast Period

In 2024, the consumer products segment accounted for the largest share of the polymer additive manufacturing market. However, the automotive segment is projected to register the highest CAGR of 17.6% during the forecast period of 2024–2031. The growth of polymer additive manufacturing in the automotive sector is expanding rapidly, driven by its ability to produce lightweight, cost-effective, and customizable components. Polymer-based 3D printing is increasingly utilized in automotive applications, from prototyping and tooling to manufacturing functional parts, owing to advancements in material performance and printing technologies.

Key growth factors include the industry's focus on lightweighting to improve fuel efficiency and meet regulatory requirements for lower emissions. Polymers such as nylon, polycarbonate, and high-performance thermoplastics like PEEK and PEKK offer excellent strength-to-weight ratios, making them ideal for replacing metal components in non-load-bearing applications. Customization is another critical driver, as polymer 3D printing enables the production of unique and intricate designs tailored to specific vehicles or customer preferences, enhancing product differentiation and consumer satisfaction.

The shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating the adoption of polymer additive manufacturing. Lightweight polymer components contribute to increased battery efficiency and overall vehicle range, which are critical factors in EV performance. Additionally, polymer-based AM is cost-effective for low-volume production runs, making it a valuable tool for producing components for limited-edition or prototype EVs.

Geographical Analysis

North America Dominated the Polymer Additive Manufacturing Market in 2024  

In 2024, North America accounted for the largest share of the global polymer additive manufacturing market. The large share of North America in the polymer additive manufacturing market is primarily attributed to technological innovation, strong infrastructure, significant R&D investments, government support, and growing demand for customization. Key factors include cross-border collaboration, rising adoption in sectors like aerospace and healthcare, and a supportive regulatory environment.

However, Asia-Pacific is expected to record the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to industrialization, digital transformation, and growing demand for customization and sustainable solutions. Key drivers include government investments, Industry 4.0 initiatives, and adoption in sectors like automotive, aerospace, electronics, and healthcare.

Key Companies

The report includes a competitive landscape based on an extensive assessment of the key strategic developments that led market participants to adopt over the past three years (2021-2024).

The key players profiled in the global polymer additive manufacturing market report are Stratasys, Ltd. (U.S.), 3D Systems Corporation (U.S.), EOS GmbH (Germany), Materialise NV (Belgium), voxeljet AG (Germany), Markforged Holding Corporation (U.S.), Proto Labs, Inc. (U.S.), Autodesk, Inc. (U.S.), 3Dceram (France), Dassault Systemes SE (France), Formlabs Inc. (U.S.), and Shapeways Holdings, Inc. (U.S.).

Polymer Additive Manufacturing Industry Overview: Latest Developments from Key Industry Players

• In November 2024, Stratasys announced an enhancement of GrabCAD Print and GrabCAD Print Pro software.
• In November 2024, EOS launched EOS P3 NEXT, a polymer additive manufacturing 3D printer, for enhancing the productivity and efficiency of polymer printing.
• In June 2024, Stratasys partnered with AM Craft (Latvia) for driving growth in 3D part manufacturing for aviation.
• In October 2023, 3D Systems launched a new printer and wax material for jewelry pattern manufacturing. The products are MJP 300W and VisiJet Wax Jewel Ruby. The printer was made with enhanced productivity and customizable design features.
• In June 2023, 3D Systems and SWANY Co. Ltd (Japan) collaborated to promote the adoption of large-format pellet extrusion 3D printing in Japan. SWANY is opening a new demo center that will include a 3D Systems EXT 1070 Titan Pellet printer—the first of its kind in Japan.

Polymer Additive Manufacturing Market Research Summary

Key questions answered in the report: