The global 3D-printed electronics market is projected to witness immense growth, expanding at a CAGR of 27.8% during the forecast period from 2018 to 2026. The growth is mainly credited to the growing advantages of 3D printed electronics, including high proficiency and accuracy, minimal wastage in the production process, etc. The proliferation of touch devices and smart displays is a major factor driving the growth of the 3D-printed electronics market. As 3D printing technology develops at a rapid pace, functional elements such as antennas, switches, and sensors are currently being incorporated into 3D printed products, paving the way for exciting new applications, markets, and opportunities. Further, the rising need for cost-effective and high-performance manufacturing also bodes well for market growth.
3D printing has enticed great interest in the field of rapid prototyping for a variety of applications due to its flexibility in manufacturing and geometrical designs compared to subtractive methods such as laser cutting and mechanical machining. With the use of conductive inks combined with base materials, the printers are capable of 3D printing electronic objects. These objects are printed as a single, continuous part that effectively creates fully functional electronics that require minimal or zero assemblies. In such a way, 3D printing is used to manufacture a variety of antennas, circuit boards, circuits, batteries, sensors, and microelectromechanical systems.
Industry experts and engineers are experimenting with conformal electronics, i.e., stretchable electronics that can be embedded in smart apparel, fitness trackers, skin patches, etc. Furthermore, as technology advances, printing at the nanoscale and the use of newer materials such as graphene may open up new possibilities in product design, providing lucrative opportunities to the 3D-printed electronics market in the near future.
Market Snapshot
Antennas Have the Highest Market Share
The global 3D printed electronics market, based on product type, is segmented into antennas, printed circuit boards (PCBs), sensors, and others (actuators, inductors, and mechatronic integrated devices (MID)). The environmental and technical benefits, as well as the potential cost savings, drive demand for this product. The physical size of a 3D-printed antenna is relatively small in comparison with the existing designs; therefore, they are intended to consume less space. 3D printing has allowed researchers to formulate the antenna arrays in their new configuration. A thorough study conducted by the researchers concluded that the design of 3D-printed antennas could be useful in the future for creating mobile devices with 5G capabilities and higher.
Aerosol Jet Printing to Continue its Supremacy in the Market
In 2017, based on technology, the global 3D printed electronics market was led by aerosol jet printing. Aerosol jet printing has emerged as one of the most promising technologies for microscale digital 3D printing using functional nanomaterial inks. Electronic products such as antennas, printed circuit boards (PCBs), sensors, etc., can be printed using aerosol jet printing. The technology is currently opening new avenues in the development of products by sweeping out the traditional constraints with respect to substrate shape, material incompatibilities, processing cost, etc., thereby providing higher flexibility.
Aerospace and Defense Garnered the Largest Market Share in 2017
In 2017, based on the end-use vertical, the global 3D printed electronics market was led by the aerospace and defense vertical. The aerospace and defense industries are among the early adopters of 3D printing technology. The history of 3D printing dates back to 1983, with some of the aerospace and defense industries beginning their experiments with the technology as early as 1988. The demand for new aerospace and electronic defense devices that pack more functionality into minimal space is augmenting the need for advanced manufacturing methods that tightly integrate electronic circuitry with physical packaging. Because of its exceptional ability to print electronics directly onto 3D surfaces, 3D printing is an ideal solution for reducing device weight and size.
North America Dominates the 3D Printed Electronics Market Globally.
3D-printed electronics technology is gaining massive preference over traditional manufacturing methods due to its high efficacy and precision. Based on geography, the 3D-printed electronics market was led by North America in 2017. The growth of this region is mainly attributed to the increasing adoption of 3D printing technology in several end-use verticals, especially in the aerospace and defense industries. The U.S. market dominated the North American market in 2017 and is projected to remain dominant in the coming years.
Europe accounted for the second-largest 3D-printed electronics market in 2017. Asia Pacific is projected to emerge as the fastest-growing region during the forecast period from 2018 to 2026. The increasing use of consumer electronic devices, including wearable devices, smartphones, drones, etc., is expected to grow at a higher rate in the near future. A developing consumer electronics industry is projected to augment the growth prospects of the 3D-printed electronics market in the Asia Pacific region.
Competitive Insights
Major players in the 3D printed electronics market include Nano Dimension Ltd., Molex LLC, Xerox Corporation, Novacentrix, Optomec Inc., NeoTech AMT GmbH, Voxel8, Inc., Beta Layout GmbH, Draper, and EoPlex Inc., among others. Product innovation remains one of the major strategies implemented by the players operating in the 3D-printed electronics market in order to strengthen their positions globally. With advancements in technologies, demand for 3D-printed electronics is likely to evolve rapidly in the coming years. As a result, the market players are focusing on strengthening their product portfolios by adopting several strategies, including new product development, partnerships, mergers, acquisitions, etc.
For instance, in February 2018, Nano Dimension, one of the leading 3D-printed electronics providers, announced the availability of the world's very first 3D-printed electronics on-demand online service. Engineers and designers will have unprecedented access to developing smart objects thanks to the service. The new and unique 3D printing capabilities position the company to provide professional-grade printed antennas, encapsulated sensors, and 3D printed circuitry to the engineers and designers within a span of a few days. The novel service marks a further expansion of the company's rapidly growing impact as one of the world's leading 3D-printed electronics providers, enabling customers to solve unique design challenges and reduce product development timelines.
Periods of History and Forecast
The research report presents the analysis of each segment from 2016 to 2026, considering 2017 as the base year for the research. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for each of the respective segments was calculated for the forecast period from 2018 to 2026.
Report Scope by Segments
The 3D-printed electronics market report provides market size and estimates based on market dynamics and key trends observed in the industry. The report provides a holistic view of the global 3D printed electronics market based on product type, technology, end-use vertical, and geography. Key segments covered in the report are as follows:
This report's distinct data points
Current and future scenarios of 3D printed electronics across the globe
Qualitative and quantitative insights across different geographies and sub-geographies
The adoption rate of 3D-printed electronics in various applications
comprehensive mapping of the competitive landscape and the market participants' behavior.
Must-have information for market players to enhance and sustain their market footprint
Comparative scenario for all segments for the years 2017 (actual) and 2026 (forecast)
Frequently Asked Question:
The market for 3D Printed Electronics Market is expected to reach USD$ XX in 2026.
The 3D Printed Electronics Market is expected to see significant CAGR growth over the coming years, at 27.8% .
The report is forecasted from 2018-2026.
The base year of this report is 2017.
3M, AG PRO TECHNOLOGY CORP., Cermet Materials Inc., CHAUMET, DuPont, Henkel AG.are some of the major players in the global market.
