3D Printing Market Forecast to Reach $51 Billion in 2030

Lux Research’s new report, “Will 3D Printing Replace Conventional Manufacturing?” highlights the 3D printing market size and growth by application and material. Anthony Schiavo, research director at Lux Research and one of the lead authors of the report, said 3D printing’s benefits, including customization and personalization, the ability to create complex geometries, part consolidation, and lower costs in some cases will contribute to the technology’s growth. “3D printing will be a key in the future manufacturing landscape thanks to benefits that it can bring over injection molding, machining, casting, or other conventional methods,” Schiavo stated in a release.

The value of 3D-printed parts will rise at a 15% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next decade, from $12 billion in 2020 to $51 billion in 2030. Schiavo says the largest share of that growth will be in end-use parts, which currently make up 23% of the market but will grow to a 38% share in 2030. Medical and dental industries will account for the largest share of end-use parts, reaching $4.5 billion in 2030, followed by aerospace at $3.9 billion.

Prototyping and tooling will also continue to grow at rates of 9% and 15%, respectively. Prototyping, which accounts for $4.4 billion today, will rise to $9.9 billion in 2030, while molds and tooling remain just ahead of production parts, reaching $21 billion in 2030, up from $5.2 billion in 2020.