Shipments of business metallic 3D printers continued to rise in China, whereas industrial polymer programs struggled globally within the first quarter of 2024, in line with the newest report from CONTEXT.
The market intelligence agency has reported drops throughout a number of machine classes inside the additive manufacturing trade. A -47% dip in shipments of Vat Photopolymerization 3D printers contributed to an total -15% YoY decline for machines in its 100,000+ USD price-class, whereas machines within the mid-range value level of 20,000–100,000 USD additionally dropped -7%. Worst hit was the skilled class, priced between 2,500–20,000 USD, which dropped -34% as consumers switched to lower-cost sub-2,500 USD entry-level printers, rising international shipments right here by 26% from a 12 months in the past.
“Regional moods had been divided amongst Chinese language distributors – notably these engaged within the Industrial Metallic Powder Mattress Fusion facet of the trade – had been elated by their sturdy home demand, whereas Western distributors famous continued end-market challenges related to low CapEx spending resulting from excessive rates of interest and sticky inflation”, stated Chris Connery, international VP of study at CONTEXT. “Within the US and throughout Europe, the information was not all damaging nevertheless, with many distributors reporting sturdy demand from home defence markets within the interval.”
9 of out 10 firms within the polymer area skilled lowered shipments from a 12 months in the past, however Vat Photopolymerization programs noticed the most important drop resulting from weak shipments from class leaders UnionTech and 3D Programs, largely affected by a drop in demand from the dental markets.
Metallic shipments on this class, nevertheless, had been up globally 10%. Of all machines shipped, metallic powder mattress fusion Programs accounted for 74% with a 7% rise from a 12 months in the past. Materials Extrusion shipments had been additionally up by 32%, adopted by Directed Vitality Deposition at 21%, and Binder Jetting up 15%. Demand from China on this class was notably sturdy with shipments from Chinese language distributors up 45% within the interval. In comparison with Western distributors, which have skilled 4 consecutive quarters of declining shipments on this class, Chinese language distributors noticed YoY quarterly shipments proceed to develop. The highest 5 distributors included 4 Chinese language firms Eplus3D, BLT, ZRapid Tech and Farsoon, whereas Nikon SLM Options was famous because the chief in large-format, multi-laser programs. When it comes to revenues, Nikon SLM Options and EOS led with the highest marketshare positions in metallic powder mattress fusion system revenues.
The drop in midrange shipments is because of a -14% YoY decline in polymer powder mattress fusion printer shipments. Shipments from Western distributors had been down -9% in Q1-24 whereas these from China-based distributors had been even down -1% YoY. 4 of the highest 5 distributors on this class, Stratasys, UnionTech, Formlabs and 3D System, all noticed YoY cargo declines, however China’s ZRapid Tech noticed YoY cargo development throughout its SLA vat photopolymerization and low-end metallic powder mattress fusion ranges.
World shipments of merchandise within the skilled price-class dropped for the eighth consecutive interval with a lower of -34% as simply two of the highest 10 distributors noticed constructive numbers. It’s thought that inflation prompted consumers to maneuver in direction of entry-level machines, a class which has continued to develop, with firms like Bambu Lab and Creality main the best way. Considerably, Creality alone accounted for 56% of all shipments on this class. Excluding these two distributors, nevertheless, shipments for the remainder of the price-class had been up by simply 9% YoY. Roughly 94% of all entry-level 3D printer shipments throughout the globe in Q1-24 got here from Chinese language distributors. 42% of the items shipped globally on this interval into this area had been delivered to customers within the US.
Connery famous that consolidation conversations proceed to dominate within the Western market, most notably Nano Dimension’s current announcement of its intention to accumulate Desktop Metallic. Whereas Western forecasts stay conservative, sturdy demand within the Chinese language market, particuarly for metallic powder mattress fusion, means international industrial printer cargo forecasts at the moment are projected to rise by 7% in 2024. This international enhance can also be stated to be supported by demand from the defence sector within the West for machines from firms like Velo3D.
Connery stated: “Accelerated development within the industrial value class is anticipated in 2025 and past because the US and Europe stabilise post-election cycles and rates of interest drop. Whereas system distributors stay targeted on additional advancing additive manufacturing into mainstream manufacturing, many strategic development initiates at the moment are beginning to additionally incorporate different digital manufacturing applied sciences past simply additive into their portfolios, as a technique to speed up development.”
Elsewhere, the midrange class forecast is now a modest 3% YoY development, whereas the skilled class is predicted to dip by an additional -1%. Progress is predicted to proceed within the entry-level class with projections at 14%, pushed largely by new market demand following Bambu Labs’ success.
