After decades of experimentation and a decade of hype, metal additive manufacturing is finding its footing. According to a new report from IDTechEx, “Metal Additive Manufacturing 2025–2035: Technologies, Players, and Market Outlook,” the next 10 years will see steady but strategic growth in this complex and evolving sector.
The report examines over 100 companies and offers granular forecasts broken down by printer technology and material types. Powder bed fusion — the most mature process — still dominates global installations. However, new approaches, like directed energy deposition and binder jetting are on the rise. Emerging players are introducing low-cost systems, printing at extreme scales, and exploring new feedstocks — including recycled metals.
Design freedom, localized manufacturing, and shorter production cycles remain the biggest selling points. But every 3D printing process comes with trade-offs. Speed vs. precision. Cost vs. size. Material compatibility vs. throughput. IDTechEx cuts through the marketing and benchmarks each technology on its true merits — something the industry has sorely needed.
The report also highlights an important shift. While early focus was on hardware, the future of metal AM revenue lies in materials. Printer sales will remain important, but growth will increasingly depend on demand for metal powders — especially titanium, which is forecast to lead the market thanks to its high value and versatility.
Unsurprisingly, key sectors like aerospace and healthcare continue to drive adoption. Both demand high-performance parts with tight tolerances — a perfect match for metal 3D printing. Other areas gaining traction include oil & gas, construction, and even jewelry.
But there are still hurdles. The tech comes with a steep learning curve, high upfront costs, and slow adoption cycles. Add to that a shaky global economy and cautious industrial investment, and it’s clear that not every player will thrive.
Still, the outlook is optimistic. As global supply chains shift and interest in localized, flexible production grows, metal additive manufacturing may be more relevant than ever. With the right combination of innovation, material development, and application focus, the next decade could finally see metal 3D printing move from niche to necessity.
Article source by IDTechEx
Image by ThisisEngineering on Unsplash
