3-D materials market expected to reach $650 million by 2019

31-Oct-14

The global market for advanced 3-D printing materials to grow to US$650 mln by 2019, at a five-year compound annual growth rate of 17.9%, as per BCC Research LLC. The thermoplastics category is anticipated to be the fastest-growing segment overall with a 20% annual growth rate. Thermoplastics, including polymers such as ABS, polylactic acid, nylon and polycarbonate was valued at just US$64.5 mln in 2013 and is expected to jump to US$192.6 mln by 2019. The photopolymers category is the largest segment and is expected to reach US$380 mln in 2019, at a growth rate of 15% pa. Advanced photopolymers, generally used in 3-D printing, include simulated polypropylene, simulated ABS, transparent photopolymers, rubber-like photopolymers, and medical and dental photopolymers. The automotive sector was the largest market for 3-D printing materials in 2013, accounting for over 26%. However, automotive applications are expected to fall to third place by 2019, behind the medical/dental products and consumer products category, which are expected to claim 25% and 22% of the market, respectively.