The 3D printing industry saw severe turbulence in a tough 2024, marked by declining high-end 3D printer shipments and macroeconomic pressures that took their toll on vendor performance.
According to market intelligence firm CONTEXT, Industrial and Mid-range printer shipments plummeted in the year’s third quarter, with Industrial printers ($100,000+) dropping by 24% year-over-year, and Mid-range systems ($20,000–$100,000) declining by 8%. In contrast, lower-cost, entry-level printers (under $2,500) were a rare silver lining, growing by 28% YoY.
“High interest rates and muted capital expenditures made 2024 one of the toughest years since the pandemic, with full-year Industrial shipments projected to drop 12% compared to 2023,” Chris Connery, VP of Global Analysis at CONTEXT, said in a press release.
In the Industrial printer class , both polymer and metal shipments fell dramatically, by 25% and 24%, respectively. Vat Photopolymerization systems were particularly affected, with shipments down 30% in Q3 and 42% on a trailing twelve-month (TTM) basis. CONTEXT reports that this decline was driven by reduced demand in the dental market.
Despite these challenges, certain companies like Eplus3D and Nikon SLM Solutions saw growth, with next-gen multi-laser metal Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) devices making Nikon SLM a global market leader in the Industrial metal PBF category. Eplus3D, in turn, hit a 41% YoY increase in shipments, mostly thanks to delivery of one of its large-format machines.
Professional printers ($2,500–$20,000) demonstrated resilience, with a marginal 1% drop in Q3, boosted by the success of Formlabs’ new Vat Photopolymerization platform, which increased its shipments by 26% YoY. Meanwhile, Chinese vendors still dominated the Mid-range and Entry-level markets. Companies like UnionTech, ZRapid Tech, and Flashforge outperformed their Western counterparts, seeing an impressive 46% increase. Flashforge, in particular, enjoyed robust sales thanks to unprecedented demand for its WaxJet material jetting printers in the jewelry market.
Looking ahead, CONTEXT projects a recovery in 2025 with a 14% growth in Industrial shipments. “With lower interest rates likely, 2025 is set to bring market stabilization and pave the way for consistent growth through 2026,” Connery explained. The Mid-range and Professional segments are predicted to grow by 12% and 6%, respectively, with stronger, double-digit growth expected across all sectors by 2026. “Despite recent challenges, the industry is poised for recovery,” concluded Connery. That sounds reassuring. We’ll trust CONTEXT as a global leader in market analytics, and definitely keep our fingers crossed for 3D printing innovation, development, and recovering demand in the market.
