Additive Manufacturing Industry Continues to Show Growth, Report Finds

Essentium has unveiled the results of its latest independent research that paints a bright future for the additive manufacturing industry. according to the company. The fifth annual study, which reflects the opinions of manufacturing leaders, reveals that 95% of the respondents expect a significant increase in the use of AM technology in the next 3 to 5 years, with 41% of leaders projecting a dramatic surge, according to the company.

While AM is maturing in its applications across manufacturing, the AM industry is still in its early stages, with room for further growth. Innovations in post-processing, software, materials, platforms, printers, and workforce development are expected to fuel this growth. The majority of respondents (85%) reported their executive leadership has a positive attitude towards AM, with almost half (48%) indicating they are “very positive.”

The study results indicate that manufacturers are particularly focused on using certified materials that meet or exceed existing standards, a factor for industries like aerospace, medical, military and automotive. A staggering 99% of the manufacturing leaders surveyed agreed on the importance of using certified materials for large-scale manufacturing, with 80% saying it was “very important” or “critically important.”

“It's encouraging to see the confidence of manufacturing leaders in the continued growth of AM technology,” says Blake Teipel, Ph.D., CEO of Essentium. “With over half of the respondents expecting the growth trend to continue and a third forecasting an acceleration, it is clear that AM will play a pivotal role in production manufacturing for many years. We are committed to supporting this growth by investing in innovation and ensuring that the Essentium High-Speed Extrusion platform and materials meet the high standards our customers demand.”

For more insights into the research, access the white paper here.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.