3D Printing High-Performance Plastics Market Research Report: By Type (Polyamide, Polyetherimide, Polyetheretherketone & Polyetherketoneketone, Reinforced High-Performance Plastic), Form (Filament & Pellet, Powder), Application (Prototyping, Tooling, Functional Part Manufacturing) - Global Industry Analysis and Growth Forecast to 2030

Market Overview

The global 3D printing high-performance plastics market stood at around $73.5 million in 2020, and it is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. The increasing applications of 3D printing in various industries, such as aerospace, aviation, defense, and automotive, and surging demand for mass customization are associated with the growth of the market.

The global uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic has caused huge disruptions in manufacturing and transportation activities, thereby resulting in a critical shortage of supplies. 3D printing enables on-demand solutions to many problems, ranging from personal protective equipment to medical devices and isolation wards. The use of the technology compensated for the disruptions in industrial activities, which is why the market for 3D printing high-performance plastics continued to advance during the pandemic.

Due to Wide Application in Production of Gears, Polyamide Category Held Largest Share

The polyamide category held the largest share in the 3D printing high-performance plastics market in 2020, based on type. This is mainly attributed to the fact that polyamide provides stability, rigidity, and shock resistance, which is why it finds wide applications in the production of gears and other parts in the aerospace, automotive, and robotics sectors and medical prostheses and injection molds.

Usage of Filaments and Pellets in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Process Leads to Their Domination

The filament & pellet category held the largest share in the market for 3D printing high-performance plastics in 2020, based on form. This is mainly attributed to the wide usage of high-performance plastic filaments in the hugely popular FDM process.

Due to Room for Quick Multiple Iterations, Prototyping Category Held Largest Share

The prototyping category dominated the 3D printing high-performance plastics market in 2020, and it is expected to retain its position in the coming years, based on application. This is attributed to the ability of 3D printers to make multiple quick iterations of designs, through product testing. This saves time and money in running the tests with a functional prototype.

Rising Research & Development (R&) Investments in North America Leading to Its Domination

Geographically, North America held the largest share in the 3D printing high-performance plastics industry in the historical period (2015–2020). This is primarily attributed to the rising R&D investments owing to the increasing focus on technological advancements.

Shift toward 3D Printing from Traditional Manufacturing Is Key Trend

The shift toward 3D printing from traditional manufacturing is one of the major trends in the 3D printing high-performance plastics market. This is mainly attributed to a constant improvement in the 3D printing domain and reduction in the price of the 3D printing technology and associated materials. 3D printing has major benefits, such as the creation of complex shapes without added costs, more customizability, and zero material wastage. In additive manufacturing, the cost of manufacturing one item remains constant, and mass production becomes cheaper.

Increasing Application of High-Performance Plastics in Aerospace and Aviation Industries Is Driving Market

The aerospace and aviation industries are growing across the world, which, in turn, is bolstering the growth of the market for 3D printing high-performance plastics. The growth of these industries is leading to the increasing demand for aircraft, in order to ferry more passengers and cargo than ever, thus resulting in the rising production of aircraft components. The 3D printing technology is an efficient way to produce these components as it uses filaments, which results in a reduction in the weight of the manufactured products, increased strength, achievement of complex and customized designs, and minimal wastage.

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Industry Players Are Involved in Partnerships to Gain Competitive Edge

In recent years, players in the 3D printing high-performance plastics industry have been involved in partnerships in order to attain a significant position. For instance:

• In March 2021, Stratasys Ltd. announced a partnership with Xometry in order to provide several new high-performance nylon material options to customers. Under the partnership, Xometry’s customer base, which includes startups and Fortune 100 companies, is now able to tap into Stratasys Direct’s expertise and substantial manufacturing capacity in selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printing.

Key Players in 3D Printing High-Performance Plastics Market Include:

Market Size Breakdown by Segments

The 3D printing high-performance plastics market report offers comprehensive market segmentation analysis along with market estimation for the period 2015-2030.

Based on Type

• Polyamide (PA)
• Polyetherimide (PEI)
• Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) & Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK)
• Reinforced High-Performance Plastic (HPP)

Based on Form

• Filament & Pellet
• Powder

Based on Application

• Prototyping
• Tooling
• Functional Part Manufacturing

Geographical Analysis

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • U.K.
  • Italy
  • Spain
• Asia-Pacific (APAC)
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
• Latin America (LATAM)
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
• Middle East and Africa (MEA)
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa