Aerospace 3D Printing Market Size, Share Global Analysis Report, 2024 – 2032

Industry Insights

[212+ Pages Report] According to Facts & Factors, the global aerospace 3D printing market size was valued at USD 2.83 billion in 2023 and is predicted to surpass USD 13.20 billion by the end of 2032. The aerospace 3D printing industry is expected to grow by a CAGR of 18.66% between 2024 and 2032.

Market Overview

Aerospace 3D printing utilizes 3D printing technology to manufacture and design aerospace components and structures. This process works on layers for forming digital models, thereby facilitating the production of complex geometries. This technique is quite different from traditional manufacturing methods and can help achieve any complex structure, which was impossible with the old techniques. It is also referred to as additive manufacturing. It lowers the waste by only using the required amount of materials. This technology facilitates customization like modification and design for particular parts. Different technologies used in aerospace 3-D printing include electron beam melting, direct metal laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, and many others. This technique finds huge applications in prototyping, maintenance & repair, and many others.

Key Insights

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global aerospace 3D printing market size is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 18.66% over the forecast period (2024-2032).
• In terms of revenue, the global aerospace 3D printing market size was valued at around USD 2.83 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 13.20 billion by 2032.
• Rising demand for complex and lightweight components is driving the growth of the global aerospace 3D printing market.
• Based on the printer technology, the fused deposition modeling segment is growing at a high rate and is projected to dominate the global market.
• Based on the application, the space component segment is projected to swipe the largest market share.
• Based on platform, the aircraft segment is expected to dominate the global market.
• Based on region, North America is expected to dominate the global market during the forecast period.

Growth Drivers

• Rising demand for complex and lightweight components is driving the growth of the global market.

The aerospace sector is demanding lightweight parts that help enhance fuel efficiency and lower the overall operating cost. Moreover, 3D printing facilitates the designing of integrated and complex components, thereby helping in optimizing the parts for performance in aerospace systems.

Furthermore, additive manufacturing also lowers waste by using the resources efficiently and leading to cost savings. Aerospace 3D printing facilitates fast production cycles. It offers a large inventory and an extensive supply chain for quick response time. Also, it helps in rapid prototyping which is very crucial for the development and testing of new aerospace technologies. These have the ability for on-demand manufacturing. It can also offer these solutions in aerospace applications to meet particular requirements.

Therefore, all the factors are likely to propel the growth of the global aerospace 3D printing market. For instance, Materialize unveiled its plan to manufacture flight-ready parts in collaboration with Airbus in 2021 with the help of laser sintering technology. PA2241 FR will be used in the process. It is a flame-retardant polyamide produced by EOS.

Restraints

• High initial investment is expected to hamper the growth of the global market.

Advanced 3D printing machines and associated equipment are quite expensive which is likely to be a primary factor for the slow growth of the aerospace 3D printing industry. Moreover, the raw materials used in such technology, such as specialized composites and metals, are also expected to increase the overall cost. Additionally, the regulatory and certification challenges are likely to affect the growth of the industry.

Opportunities

• Technological advancements are expected to foster growth opportunities in the global market.

The continuous developments in the 3D printing process are expected to foster growth opportunities in the global aerospace 3D printing market. Advancements like better decisions, high printing speeds, and improved material properties are contributing towards the growth of the industry.

Moreover, the manufacturing of new materials like heat-resistant polymers, high-strength materials, etc., is crucial for producing aerospace components with safety standards and strict performance. Strategic investments by government and aerospace companies to speed up the research and development activities in the field of printing technologies are also likely to support the growth of the industry in the coming years.

For instance, 3D System is said to acquire Startup Option in 2021. Latter is a global SaaS company founded in 2017 by manufacturing and AI experts. This agreement is expected to accelerate AM adoption in a production environment.

Challenges

• Material limitation is a big challenge in the global market.

There are limited material choices, which is likely to restrict the growth of the aerospace 3D printing industry. Materials with required properties like durability, strength, and heat resistance are eligible for aerospace parts. However, not all materials can meet the stringent requirements of the standard bodies. Moreover, industries are witnessing many technical challenges like process reliability and size limitations, which in turn are also expected to slow down the growth of the industry.

Segmentation Analysis

The global aerospace 3D printing market can be segmented into printer technology, application, platform, and region.

On the basis of printer technology, the market can be segmented into selective laser sintering, stereolithography, continuous liquid interface production, fused deposition modeling, direct metal laser technology, and others. The fused deposition modeling (FDM) segment is projected to grow with the highest CAGR during the forecast period. FDM is gaining significant traction among people because of its ability to produce complex geometry. FDM machines and materials are more cost-effective as compared to 3-D printing technologies.

This process generates less waste, thereby making it more popular among end users. The development of high-performance thermoplastics helps users meet the strict requirements of aerospace applications. It is widely used for rapid prototyping, thereby facilitating design, validation, and quick irritations. It is a user-friendly technology that is easy to maintain and operate for aerospace manufacturers. Also, it is ideal for both small-scale and large manufacturing units, and it further supports product development at every stage of the life cycle.

On the basis of application, the aerospace 3D printing industry can be segmented into structural components, space components, and engine components. The space component segment is expected to witness significant developments in the coming years.

The growing need for space missions like part complexity, weight production, material performance, and many others make 3-D printing a crucial part of the manufacturing of space components. Lowering the weight of a space component is an important aspect. Lower the overall launching cost. 3D printing helps in the easy production of lightweight components with required strength-to-weight ratios. Lightweight components offer better fuel efficiency. 3-D printing facilitates the creation of integrated and complex geometry that is difficult for traditional manufacturing methods.

On the basis of platform, the market can be segmented into aircraft, space, UAV, and others. The aircraft segment is likely to dominate the global aerospace 3D printing market. 3-D printing technology offers many benefits, like cost efficiency, weight reduction, and many others. Lighter aircraft lead to fuel saving and lower emissions, which is important in both military and commercial aviation.

Also, it lowers the operational cost savings. Additive manufacturing eliminates the waste material as compared to subtractive manufacturing techniques. Also, aerospace 3-D printing can easily produce parts on demand, thereby lowering the lead times. 3-D printing facilitates the creation of complex parts that are impossible with its traditional techniques.

Additionally, the vehicle parts can be customized with the help of 3-D printing. Moreover, the integration of multiple functions into a single part is expected to remove assembly complexity. Rapid prototyping capabilities help in short development cycles.

Report Scope

Regional Analysis

• North America to dominate the global market.

North America will account for the largest share of the global aerospace 3D printing market during the forecast period. The US is the largest market in the region because of the presence of strong aerospace manufacturers. Moreover, the ongoing research and development activities in the US, because of the significant investments made by both the defense giant companies and the government, are contributing towards the growth of the regional market.

Moreover, Canada is also making significant developments in the industry because of the fast-growing aerospace sector in the region. The major reason behind the high growth rate of the aerospace sector is the developments in advanced manufacturing technologies. North America is witnessing high demand for lightweight and complex aerospace components, which is a primary reason for the growth rate of the regional market. Moreover, the developments in 3D printing technologies, like the innovation of new materials and improved printing techniques, are further expanding the scope of the regional market.

Asia Pacific is another major region witnessing significant growth in the global aerospace 3D printing industry because of the high economic growth of countries in APAC. India’s aerospace sector is making significant developments because of the growing investments in research and development activities along with the higher adoption rate of 3D printing technology in the region. Japan is also growing rapidly because of its excellence in innovation and technology.

Countries witnessing advancements in manufacturing technology are further improving their aerospace capabilities. South Korea is expected to contribute immensely towards the growth of the regional market because of its support in the aerospace and defense sector. APAC is focusing on lowering the cost and weight of aerospace components in order to improve fuel efficiency, which is also a significant driver of the growth of the regional market.

However, the growing industrialization in countries in the Asia Pacific is strengthening the growth of the aerospace 3D printing industry in the region further. For instance, Stratasys agreed with Boom Supersonic in 2019 to fasten the adoption of additive manufacturing for 3D-printed flight hardware. Latter is a Colorado-based company that deals with supersonic airliners.

Competitive Analysis

The key players in the global aerospace 3D printing market include:

• Airbus SE
• Boeing
• GKN Aerospace
• Additive Industries
• Optomec Inc.
• EnvisionTEC GmbH
• Norsk Titanium AS
• Carpenter Technology Corporation
• Concept Laser GmbH
• HP Inc.
• Proto Labs Inc.
• SLM Solutions Group AG
• Arcam AB
• Materialize NV
• ExOne Company
• EOS GmbH
• 3D Systems Corporation

For instance, Norsk Titanium is said to initiate the production deliveries of new Boeing 787 Dreamliner components to Leonardo's Grottaglie. This plant is situated in South Italy, and the deliveries are expected to complement a third's production to Norsk's customer base.

The global aerospace 3D printing market is segmented as follows:

By Printer Technology Segment Analysis

• Selective Laser Sintering
• Stereolithography
• Continuous Liquid Interface Production
• Fused Deposition Modeling
• Direct Metal Laser Technology
• Others

By Application Segment Analysis

• Structural Components
• Space Components
• Engine Components

By Platform Segment Analysis

• Aircraft
• Space
• UAV
• Others

By Regional Segment Analysis

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • France
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• The Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Egypt
  • Kuwait
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America