3D Printing High-Performance Plastic Market

3D printing high-performance plastics refers to the process of using advanced polymers that have superior mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties to create 3D printed objects. High-performance plastics have enhanced characteristics such as high strength, stiffness, and resistance to high temperatures, abrasion, and chemicals, making them ideal for use in demanding applications.

The process of 3D printing high-performance plastics involves using specialized 3D printers, which use techniques such as fused deposition modeling (FDM), selective laser sintering (SLS), and stereolithography (SLA) to build up the object layer by layer. High-performance plastics that are commonly used for 3D printing include materials like PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone), ULTEM (Polyetherimide), and PAEK (polyaryletherketone).

Applications for 3D printing high-performance plastics include aerospace, automotive, medical, and industrial manufacturing industries. The ability to rapidly prototype and create customized, complex shapes using 3D printing technology has revolutionized the way products are designed and manufactured, and high-performance plastics play an important role in this process.

Current Market and Drivers

The Global 3D Printing High-Performance Plastic Market size by revenue was estimated to be 7.21 billion USD in 2022, it is projected to reach 35.85 billion USD by 2030 with a CAGR of 22.2% in the forecast period of 2023-2030. The expanding use of 3D printing in the manufacturing industry and the increased demand for bio-based goods for ecologically friendly products are the main factors driving the global market for high-performance plastics used in 3D printing. Because the printing material is so strong and long-lasting, applying it to large machinery and equipment is simpler.

There are increasing government measures, including greater research funding, 3D printing policy support, and increased focus on environmental deterioration in underdeveloped nations. One of the main market drivers is the expanding use of 3D printing high-performance plastic in the industrial industry. An excellent strength-to-weight ratio in 3D printing plastic balances the heavy components in the goods.

Some prominent players in the global 3D printing plastics market include Arkema, DSM, Stratasys Ltd., 3D Systems Inc., EOS, Evonik Industries AG, Victrex plc., Solvay, Oxford Performance Materials, SABIC, ENVISIONTEC INC., HP Development Company L.P., PolyOne Corporation, BASF SE, Filament, 3D Printing, 3DXTECH, DuPont, Lehmann & Voss &Co. KG, TORAY INDUSTRIES INC., TreeD Filaments.

Some of the recent developments are as follows:

Evonik, a manufacturer of speciality chemicals, and Asiga, a maker of 3D printers based on photopolymers, announced their partnership in March 2022. Both businesses want to advance industrial manufacturing on a wide scale using 3D printing by expanding the potential of photo-curing technologies already available.

The Colorado-based inventor and manufacturer of large-format, industrial 3D printers, Titan Additive LLC (Titan Robotics), announced in February 2022 that it has reached a deal to be acquired by 3D Systems. With this purchase, 3D Systems will strengthen and broaden the scope of its portfolio of polymer additive manufacturing (AM) solutions to target new applications in industries like foundries, consumer goods, service businesses, transportation & motorsports, aerospace & defence, and general manufacturing.

Market Segments

The Global 3D Printing High-Performance Plastic Market is segmented on the basis of type, from, and applications.

In 2022, the market leader and contributor to more than 50% of global revenue was the photopolymers type segment. Monomers, polymer bases, and oligomers combined with a photoinitiator make up photopolymers, which are soluble liquid combinations. They are light-sensitive polymeric materials that alter both their physical and chemical characteristics when exposed to light. The reaction is started by ultraviolet light, which also alters the characteristics of photopolymers. They are widely used in several printing techniques, such as 3D printing, polyjet, and inkjet printing. The quickest CAGR is projected for Polyamide/Nylon during the projection period.

Based on application, the global market for high-performance plastics for 3D printing, the aerospace sector is anticipated to account for the greatest share. In the plastics industry for 3D printing, prototyping is frequently employed. It facilitates the operation of the product and aids in repair and maintenance. This makes it simple for businesses to innovate and produce complex parts. The speed at which 3D printing can start an assembly line is a key factor in the development of manufacturing technology. The industry segment for cars is anticipated to develop the fastest. One of the biggest sectors, the automotive sector requires enormous production facilities.

Based on form, the global market for high-performance plastics for 3D printing, the filament & pellet sector is anticipated to account for the biggest share. The filament and pellet market sector has seen a surge in market share as a result of the demand for bio-based grade material. This utilizes less plastic and is environmentally friendly. During the forecast period, the market will be driven by the widespread usage of affordable, temperature-adjustable pellets in commercial enterprises. The market for powder is anticipated to expand most quickly. Instead of a filament, the foundation material is powder. By melting the powder, 3D printers reassemble the product layer by layer.

Major and Growing Geographies

Due to its developed markets and highly developed 3D printing industry, North America dominates the high-performance plastic market for 3D printing. The Polylactic Acid (PLA) market is also anticipated to expand, and filament made from PLA, which is widely used across a variety of application fields and is offered in a variety of colors and blends, will support the expansion of the 3D printing high-performance plastic market in the region over the coming years. The market for high-performance plastic for 3D printing is expected to expand significantly in the Asia Pacific as a result of rising costs in the manufacturing industry for things like tooling, fixtures, electronics, toys, and other items. In the upcoming years, it is projected that the market for 3D printing high-performance plastics in the region would expand due to the fact that 3D printers significantly reduce the manufacturing time required to make the aforementioned items compared to traditional CNC machines.

Conclusion

The 3D printing high-performance plastic market has been experiencing significant growth due to the increased demand for materials with superior properties. High-performance plastics such as PEEK, ULTEM, and PAEK are widely used in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical, and industrial manufacturing. The ability to rapidly prototype and create complex geometries using 3D printing technology has further boosted the demand for high-performance plastics in the market. The key players in the 3D printing high-performance plastic market are continuously focusing on research and development to improve the properties of these materials and expand their applications. The market is expected to continue growing in the coming years, as new materials are developed and 3D printing technology becomes more accessible to a wider range of industries.