3D Printing Industry on Pace to Reach a Whopping $57.1 Billion by 2028, Far Ahead of Previous Projections
In the realm of aerospace and high-tech manufacturing, the 3D printing industry is experiencing a significant boom. This growth is driven by a combination of regulatory changes, investments, and innovative breakthroughs.
GKN Aerospace, a leading player in the industry, is expanding its Newington, Connecticut facility with a new production line for additively fabricating the Fan Case Mount Ring, a vital component of the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine. This move underscores the growing importance of 3D printing in aerospace manufacturing.
The regulatory landscape for 3D printing is also evolving favorably. Susan Bradley, partner at Marks & Clerk, has commented that 3D printing is now a commercially viable, IP-secured, and regulation-supported industry. The EU has revamped its registered design system to explicitly protect non-physical designs such as 3D print files, graphical user interfaces, and animations. Since July 2022, the European Patent Office has allowed patent protection for additive manufacturing software. These changes have made the industry more navigable and protected than ever before.
The growth of the 3D printing industry is impressive, with a forecasted global market value of $57.1bn by 2028, surpassing the earlier projection of $50bn from Marks & Clerk's 2020 whitepaper. This represents a 14.2% increase over earlier long-term growth projections.
One sector benefiting significantly from 3D printing is defence. The UK defence sector is urged to adopt 3D printing to revolutionise supply chain resilience and potentially save £110m. Lockheed Martin is upgrading the Republic of Korea Air Force's F-16 Block 52 flight simulators to mirror the advanced capabilities of its modernised F-16 Viper (F-16V) aircraft.
Innovation in the 3D printing industry is no longer limited by legal grey areas or technical boundaries. Brookhouse Aerospace has invested over £500,000 in additional machinery to extend its engineering capabilities, as part of a wider growth and investment strategy. A consortium led by Honeywell has received UK government funding for a project aimed at manufacturing critical aerospace technologies using AI and additive manufacturing.
Marks & Clerk, a leading intellectual property firm, has released an updated whitepaper, 3DP/IP 2025: From Design to Download - IP Protection in the age of 3D printing. This whitepaper offers practical guidance on navigating cross-border IP law, protecting innovations, and building resilient businesses in this newly favorable regulatory environment. The whitepaper is available now and can be found on the Marks & Clerk website.
In light of these developments, companies can't afford to treat legal protections as an afterthought, particularly in high-growth sectors like 3D printing. IP is now keeping pace with innovation in the 3D printing industry, with metal 3D printing growing at 30% annually.
In conclusion, the 3D printing industry is experiencing a golden age, driven by regulatory changes, investments, and innovative breakthroughs. As the industry continues to grow, it's essential for companies to stay informed about IP protections and navigate the regulatory landscape effectively.
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