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Aerospace and Defense 3D Printing Market - Forecasts from 2025 to 2030

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    Report

  • 145 Pages
  • June 2025
  • Region: Global
  • Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence LLP
  • ID: 5602571
UP TO EUR$1,390USDGBP OFF until Jul 31st 2025
The aerospace and defense 3D printing market is expected to grow from USD 2.041 billion in 2025 to USD 4.844 billion in 2030, at a CAGR of 18.87%.

The aerospace and defense (A&D) industries have increasingly adopted 3D printing, or additive manufacturing (AM), to enhance production capabilities. This technology enables the creation of complex, lightweight components critical for commercial aircraft, military aircraft, and space technology. The ability to produce intricate designs, reduce production times, and manufacture low-volume parts has positioned 3D printing as a transformative force in these sectors. Below is a refined summary of key market developments and trends from 2024 onward, tailored for industry experts, focusing on growth drivers and challenges without introducing new data.

Applications in Aerospace and Defense

3D printing is integral to various A&D applications, including the production of replacement parts certified as Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) and complex aerospace components. The technology supports the creation of lightweight parts that maintain structural integrity and aerodynamic performance, critical for fuel efficiency and operational effectiveness. For instance, in 2024, Airbus continued its advancements by leveraging AM to produce a spacer panel for the A320 commercial aircraft, achieving a 15% weight reduction compared to traditional components. Similarly, a 3D-printed metal bracket for aircraft applications has demonstrated potential fuel savings of approximately 2.5 million gallons annually by reducing weight by 50-80%. These advancements underscore the technology’s role in optimizing aircraft performance.

In the space sector, additive manufacturing has streamlined production processes. For example, Airbus and Safran utilized 3D printing for the Ariane 6 rocket, consolidating an injector head from 248 parts into a single component, significantly reducing complexity and production time. Additionally, a 3D-printed combustion chamber was successfully tested, highlighting AM’s reliability for high-stakes applications. Relativity Space’s collaboration with Lockheed Martin on a 2023 NASA mission (with developments continuing into 2024) further exemplifies the use of AM to create lightweight, mission-specific rockets, enhancing customization and efficiency.

Market Growth Factors

The aircraft segment is expected to experience significant growth in 3D printing adoption due to the demand for fuel-efficient, lightweight aircraft. Advanced materials, such as those used in airframes and components, enable weight reduction without compromising strength, aligning with industry priorities for sustainability and cost efficiency. Collaborative efforts, such as the joint development agreement (JDA) between Lockheed Martin Corporation and Arconic, announced in 2024, focus on advancing metal 3D printing and lightweight material systems. These partnerships aim to enhance next-generation aerospace solutions, driving demand for AM technologies.

Strategic agreements also fuel market expansion. In 2024, Boeing and Oerlikon extended their collaboration to refine titanium 3D printing processes, emphasizing scalability and material reliability. Such initiatives reflect a broader industry trend toward integrating AM into mainstream production, particularly for complex, low-volume parts that traditional manufacturing struggles to produce efficiently. The ability to design for additive manufacturing further accelerates product delivery, giving companies a competitive edge in meeting market demands.

Market Restraints

Despite its potential, the A&D 3D printing market faces significant challenges, primarily due to high acquisition costs and material limitations. Industrial 3D printers, unlike traditional manufacturing equipment like mills or injection mold presses, often have smaller build chambers, necessitating the segmentation of larger parts. This process increases printing costs and requires manual assembly, adding labor expenses and complexity. The scarcity of suitable raw materials for AM also poses a barrier, as the industry requires specialized, high-quality inputs to meet stringent aerospace standards. These factors collectively hinder market growth, particularly for companies seeking to scale 3D printing operations.

Conclusion

The aerospace and defense industries continue to lead in 3D printing adoption, driven by the need for lightweight, complex components that enhance fuel efficiency and performance. Innovations from companies like Airbus, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin highlight the technology’s transformative impact, particularly in commercial aviation and space exploration. However, high costs and material constraints remain significant hurdles. As collaborative agreements and technological advancements progress, the A&D 3D printing market is poised for growth, provided industry players address these challenges through innovation and strategic investments.

Key Benefits of this Report:

  • Insightful Analysis: Gain detailed market insights covering major as well as emerging geographical regions, focusing on customer segments, government policies and socio-economic factors, consumer preferences, industry verticals, and other sub-segments.
  • Competitive Landscape: Understand the strategic maneuvers employed by key players globally to understand possible market penetration with the correct strategy.
  • Market Drivers & Future Trends: Explore the dynamic factors and pivotal market trends and how they will shape future market developments.
  • Actionable Recommendations: Utilize the insights to exercise strategic decisions to uncover new business streams and revenues in a dynamic environment.
  • Caters to a Wide Audience: Beneficial and cost-effective for startups, research institutions, consultants, SMEs, and large enterprises.

What do businesses use our reports for?

Industry and Market Insights, Opportunity Assessment, Product Demand Forecasting, Market Entry Strategy, Geographical Expansion, Capital Investment Decisions, Regulatory Framework & Implications, New Product Development, Competitive Intelligence

Report Coverage:

  • Historical data from 2022 to 2024 & forecast data from 2025 to 2030
  • Growth Opportunities, Challenges, Supply Chain Outlook, Regulatory Framework, and Trend Analysis
  • Competitive Positioning, Strategies, and Market Share Analysis
  • Revenue Growth and Forecast Assessment of segments and regions including countries
  • Company Profiling (Strategies, Products, Financial Information, and Key Developments among others).

Market Segmentation

By Material

  • Metals
  • Polymers
  • Ceramics

By Technology

  • SLS
  • SLA
  • Material Jetting
  • Others

By Application

  • Prototyping
  • Tooling
  • Parts
  • Fixtures
  • Coating

By Geography

  • North America
  • United States
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Others
  • Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Spain
  • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Israel
  • Others
  • Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Indonesia
  • Japan
  • Others

Table of Contents

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2. MARKET SNAPSHOT
2.1. Market Overview
2.2. Market Definition
2.3. Scope of the Study
2.4. Market Segmentation
3. BUSINESS LANDSCAPE
3.1. Market Drivers
3.2. Market Restraints
3.3. Market Opportunities
3.4. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
3.5. Industry Value Chain Analysis
3.6. Policies and Regulations
3.7. Strategic Recommendations
4. TECHNOLOGICAL OUTLOOK
5. AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE 3D PRINTING MARKET BY MATERIAL
5.1. Introduction
5.2. Metals
5.3. Polymers
5.4. Ceramics
6. AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE 3D PRINTING MARKET BY TECHNOLOGY
6.1. Introduction
6.2. SLS
6.3. SLA
6.4. Material Jetting
6.5. Others
7. AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE 3D PRINTING MARKET BY APPLICATION
7.1. Introduction
7.2. Prototyping
7.3. Tooling
7.4. Parts
7.5. Fixtures
7.6. Coating
8. AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE 3D PRINTING MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY
8.1. Introduction
8.2. North America
8.2.1. USA
8.2.2. Canada
8.2.3. Mexico
8.3. South America
8.3.1. Brazil
8.3.2. Argentina
8.3.3. Others
8.4. Europe
8.4.1. Germany
8.4.2. France
8.4.3. United Kingdom
8.4.4. Spain
8.4.5. Others
8.5. Middle East and Africa
8.5.1. Saudi Arabia
8.5.2. UAE
8.5.3. Others
8.6. Asia Pacific
8.6.1. China
8.6.2. India
8.6.3. Japan
8.6.4. South Korea
8.6.5. Indonesia
8.6.6. Thailand
8.6.7. Others
9. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND ANALYSIS
9.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis
9.2. Market Share Analysis
9.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations
9.4. Competitive Dashboard
10. COMPANY PROFILES
10.1. Stratasys Ltd.
10.2. 3D Systems, Inc.
10.3. Materialise
10.4. EOS Group
10.5. SLM Solutions Group AG
10.6. ENVISIONTEC, INC.
10.7. Renishaw plc
10.8. Extrude Hone (ExOne) Company
10.9. Concept Laser GmbH (A subsidiary of General Electric)
10.10. MTU Aero Engines
11. APPENDIX
11.1. Currency
11.2. Assumptions
11.3. Base and Forecast Years Timeline
11.4. Key benefits for the stakeholders
11.5. Research Methodology
11.6. Abbreviations

Companies Mentioned

  • Stratasys Ltd.
  • 3D Systems, Inc.
  • Materialise
  • EOS Group
  • SLM Solutions Group AG
  • ENVISIONTEC, INC.
  • Renishaw plc
  • Extrude Hone (ExOne) Company
  • Concept Laser GmbH (A subsidiary of General Electric)
  • MTU Aero Engines

Table Information

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