3D Printing High Performance Plastic Market Size, Share and Trends 2024 to 2034

3D Printing High Performance Plastic Market Size and Forecast 2024 to 2034

The global 3D printing high performance plastic market size accounted for USD 231.94 million in 2024 and is expected to exceed around USD 1,796.93 million by 2034, growing at a double-digit CAGR of 22.72% from 2024 to 2034. The high demand for high performance 3D printing is fast growing due to the improvement in technology, the development of new materials, and the popularity of the market across various industries such as aerospace, automotive, and healthcare.

3D Printing High Performance Plastic Market Key Takeaways

• North America dominated the 3D printing high performance plastic market with the largest market share of 42% in 2023.
• Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period.
• By type, the PEEK & PEKK segment accounted for the biggest share of the market in 2023.
• By type, the polyamide/nylon segment is projected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.
• By form, the FDM/FFF segment led the global market in 2023.
• By application, the prototyping segment accounted for the highest share of the market in 2023.
• By end-use, the medical and healthcare segment held the biggest market share of the market in 2023.
• By end-use, the aerospace and defense segment is projected to grow at a notable CAGR during the predicted period.

How is Artificial Intelligence (AI) Changing 3D Printing Processes?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) processes establish and monitor patterns and variables of previous data and current data to complete manufacturing tasks more efficiently with increased productivity in the 3D printing high performance plastic market. Artificial intelligence is improving 3D printing technology in areas such as designs and manufacturing procedures. Generative design allows the creation of complex forms that have been difficult to construct using conventional processes due to the availability of AI-enhanced design options. These tools rely on artificial intelligence to efficiently use the material while still providing for the sturdiness of the parts that make up the structure.

U.S. 3D Printing High Performance Plastic Market Size and Growth 2024 to 2034

The U.S. 3D printing high performance plastic market size is exhibited at USD 68.19 million in 2024 and is projected to be worth around USD 538.41 million by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 22.93% from 2024 to 2034.

North America led the global 3D printing high performance plastic market in 2023. The region constitutes large industries, including aerospace, automotive, and source sectors, the industries where high-performance materials like titanium, Inconel, and PEEK are implemented. North America continues to be ahead of this growing market with perfect and stable infrastructure to enhance the scalability of key industries. Also, North America is the most advanced in research and development, with a high investment in innovation and manufacturing proficiency, which accelerates the use of high-performance 3D printing materials.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow notably the 3D printing high performance plastic market during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific market is on the rise, as are improvements in technology and growth in the manufacturing industries. Some of the drivers are cutting down material expenses in a product and the further enhancement in a procedure that is well made for 3D printing plastics good for the automotive, aerospace, and healthcare industries.

Currently, China, India, and Japan are the most active nations in adopting the 3D printing high performance plastic market technologies. While. India is looking forward to this technology to enhance its manufacturing effectiveness in the global market. They include active government engagement through launching the campaign, namely Made in India. 

• In June 2024, Indian space startup company Agnikul Cosmos successfully tested the nation’s first 3D printed rocket engine, thus creating a trend of fast and inexpensive rocket construction, enhancing India’s space industry.

Market Overview

3D printing plastic materials, commonly known as additive manufacturing materials, are used to create components and functional parts with superior performance in numerous industries. 3D printing is a material with specific mechanical characteristics for the application of high-quality part material in unique and specific end uses. These can be polymers, metals, or technical ceramics. In 3D printing, high-performance materials could be incorporated to make hard structures, especially with low-performance materials. 

The 3D printing high performance plastic market has been growing rapidly because of its rising use in the aerospace, automotive, medical, and electronics sectors. These materials provide enhanced mechanical features including increased strength, thermal stability, and endurance, and are significant to manufacture components that can function in high-performance devices.

3D Printing High Performance Plastic Market Growth Factors

• Technological advancements: The advancements in 3D printing technologies, such as the types of material, including metal alloys, advanced polymers, composites, and the types of printing methods.
• Industry adoption: Industrial applications of high-performance 3D printing are gaining popularity across industries such as aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and manufacturing industries.
• Investment and research: Industry drive by the public and private sectors has led to the enhancement of research and development in order to discover new and improved uses.

Market Scope

Market Dynamics

Driver

Application in diverse sectors of the industry

Industrial 3D printing has evolved to offer significant value to various business fields. Such benefits include conserved material usage, minimized cost, and speed increase in production. It also allows designers and engineers to create everything from tooling like jigs and fixtures to visualization tools. These trends have been nurturing the 3D printing high performance plastic market, especially in different industries, including the consumer goods value chain. The medical industry also exploits the capabilities of additive manufacturing for several reasons. Medical devices like prosthetics, implants, or medical aids may also be developed according to the patient's needs. There was a growing interest in 3D printing in different fields. They have several advantages this unique technology has for architecture, automotive, construction, engineering, and industrial design.

Restraint

High initial investments

High initial investments are perceived to be the most substantial limitation for the embracing of this technology. It was recognized that high-performance plastics have unique cooling requirements and high melting temperatures which in some cases may need special equipment and temperature management. This can cause increased rates for maintenance, training, and costly quality control. Compared to the earlier traditional prints, the 3-dimensional system needs capital and resources to be put in place to make the entire production, making the whole process costly.

Opportunity

Automotive industries shift towards lightweight material

3D printing deals with the capacity to produce lightweight parts with complex geometries that traditional manufacturing methods. This capability is very important in the development of cars for high performance, where weight is a sensitive factor. The automotive industry is continually demanding to lessen the overall weight of its parts and designs. 3D printers enhance this strength by creating light materials, such as engineered plastics and composite materials.  This implies that there will be a caliber that decreases vehicle weight, a better fuel economy, and relatively less greenhouse gas emissions.

• As per the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the total vehicle manufacturing in India during 2023 will be 25.93 million units.

Type Insights

The PEEK & PEKK segment accounted for the biggest share of the 3D printing high performance plastic market in 2023. Both PEEK and PEKK, through 3-D printing, are applied in medical fields, the aircraft industry, automobiles and energy industries, and the like. It also has a chemical-proof nature because it does not respond to water and other severe conditions like high temperatures. These are applied in healthcare & medical centers, the automotive industry, the aircraft engine area, and the oil & gas.

The polyamide/nylon segment is expected to witness significant growth in the 3D printing high performance plastic market during the forecast period. This polyamide is synthesized from lactic acid derived from the fermentation of carbohydrate feedstock, including sugar cane and starch. PLA is used most frequently when practicing FDM technology of 3D printing. It is also a thermoplastic element that can be melted and remolded over and over again. It also exhibits good mechanical properties that can be compared to polypropylene and polyurethane.

• In November 2024, Roboze launched the bio-based polyamide for sustainable high-performance 3D printing. Roboze said that sustainability is the precondition for the sustainable success of people and the world.

Form Insights

The FDM/FFF segment dominated the 3D printing high performance plastic market in 2023.  Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), or Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), is the most well-known technology. FDM printers use an inkjet-head tool to deposit a thermoplastic material that is built up by fusing layers of material one on top of another, as layers are deposited perpendicular to the build plate. The major driver to the advancement of FDM is its operational simplicity and benefits linked with the technology. FFF is also used in manufacturing in industries such as aerospace, automotive, construction, electronics, energy, pharmaceutical & medicine, sports, textile and toys industries, and many others. This technology is highly utilized in generating durable, strong, and dimensionally stable parts.

• In November 2024, Xenia Materials introduced 3D filaments and entered into the FDM and FFF area. The filament collection meets 3D printing with carbon fiber reinforcement as well as bio-based options.

Application Insights

The prototyping segment dominated the 3D printing high performance plastic market in 2023. Product prototyping assists companies in experiencing improved accuracy and delivering constant/concrete final products. It assists in creating three-dimensional CAD models and mock-up apparatus. Moreover, the large-scale adoption of this technology for manufacturing high and low-volume products will drive the growth of this segment. The automotive, aerospace, and defense industries are the largest consumers of prototyping, mainly for creating precise parts, components, and even systems. This application has been designed in such a way that it can quickly and at a low cost produce physical models of designs.

• In October 2024, Formlaws rolled out the large-format SLA 3D printers, the Form 4L and the Form 4BL, which offer high-speed performance manufacturing and scalability appropriate for prototyping and production.

End-use Insights

The medical & healthcare segment held the largest share of the 3D printing high performance plastic market in 2023. 3D Printing provides a high-speed and inexpensive model of medical devices. This technology can allow for the replication of a geometry/ feature specific to a certain patient’s body. They are implant, instrumentation, and external prosthesis devices that are used in dental implant surgery. The increasing requirement to design and develop end-use parts/open mold applications creates a significant demand for high-performance plastics for applications in 3D printers. The application of 3D printing technology using high-performance plastics helps in the generation of patient solutions that improve the outcomes of treatments. It also revolutionized conventional manufacturing by manufacturing exact models, patterns, cast, and dies for the molding and casting machinery for production line manufacturing.

• In October 2024, Sparsh Hospitals opened its first on-site 3D printing lab in India. Using advanced 3D printing technology that it will bring to the lab, this new concept will change orthopedic and personalized medicine by providing unique holistic solutions in one location, from scanning to the construction of the final orthopedic model.
• In January 2023, RMS Company, a medical device manufacturing firm based in the United States, adopted the DMP Flex 350 Dual in manufacturing. This new addition sits within the company’s Direct Metal Printing (DMP) offer portfolio, belonging to 3D System. 

The aerospace & defense segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the 3D printing high performance plastic market over the forecast period. 3D printing is ideal for prototyping in the aerospace and aviation industries. Aerospace is among the industries that have been affected by 3D printing. Supplier aerospace firms are increasingly relying on 3D printing to make components for a particular mission or model. Performance plastics allow designers the freedom to engineer lightweight, high-strength components that precisely suit the function intended for the part. Valuable varieties such as PEEK are modular to manufacture light but strong aerospace products like interior fittings, clamps, and ducts.

• In February 2022, 3D Systems acquired Titan Additive LLC, also referred to as Titan Robotics. Through this acquisition 3D Systems will be in a position to increase and complement the polymer AM solution to cover new fields such as consumer goods, aerospace, defense, and automobile industries.

3D Printing High Performance Plastic Market Companies

• 3D Systems Corporation (U.S.)
• Arkema Inc. (France)
• Markforged (U.S.)
• Stratasys Ltd. (U.S.)
• Evonik Industries AG (Germany)
• Oxford Performance Material (U.S.)
• Apium Additive Technologies GmbH (Germany)
• SABIC (Saudi Arabia)
• Ensinger (Germany)
• CRP Technology S.r.l. (Italy)

Latest Announcements by Industry Leaders

• In March 2023, Neotech AMT announced the collaboration with APES to take the application of consumer electronics utilizing 3D printing forward in North America. These developments allowed the companies to obtain the benefits of cooperation to enhance additive manufacturing technology development and manufacturing.
• In December 2022, FITTLE announced the partnership with Formlabs, a 3D printing provider, to support and help access affordable digital manufacturing solutions. This partnership helped Formlabs to make Formlabs 3D printers even more user-friendly for users throughout North America.

Recent Developments

• In November 2024, Caracol launched the Vipra AM integrated robotic metal 3D printing platform. Vipra AM is a high-duty robotic DED system that is incorporated into the wire-arc AM and further integrated into a hardware, software, and automatization intellectual property turn-key solution.
• In April 2023, Nexa3D acquired AddiFab, a printing equipment supplier, to expand its printing technology. With this acquisition, Freeform Injection Molding technology owned by AddiFab will water the NXE 400 SLA 3D printers.

Segments Covered in the Report

By Type

• PA
• PEI
• PEEK and PEKK
• Reinforced HPP
• Others

By Form

• Filament and Pellet
• Powder
• FDM/FFF
• SLS

By Application

• Prototyping
• Tooling
• Functional Part Manufacturing

By End-use

• Transportation
• Medical and Healthcare
• Aerospace and Defence
• Oil and Gas
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• Asia Pacific
• Europe
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa