CONTEXT: Industrial 3D printing systems will return to growth in 2025

Global shipments of industrial 3D printing systems picked up again in the third quarter of 2025. After a prolonged period of weakness, the market is benefiting from rising demand from the aerospace and defense sectors. At the same time, a renewed upturn in the Chinese domestic market is providing additional momentum. This is shown by current market data from the analysis company CONTEXT.

Sales of 3D printing hardware systems rose by five percent compared to the previous year. Growth came from both the high-end industrial sector and the entry-level segment. After two years of subdued demand, industrial equipment appears to be stabilizing. According to Chris Connery, Vice President of Global Analysis at CONTEXT, the industry is focusing more on applications where additive manufacturing already offers measurable economic benefits. Aerospace, defense, and Chinese industry in particular are driving this development.

Industrial systems priced above US$100,000 saw a three percent increase in unit sales. Metal systems were the driving force, while polymer-based platforms remained under pressure. The metal powder bed fusion systems segment performed particularly well, with growth of 25 percent. In China, deliveries of industrial systems grew by 22 percent, once again making the country the largest contributor to global volume. Suppliers such as ZRapid Tech and BLT recorded significant growth, mainly due to orders from the domestic aerospace industry.

Western manufacturers also reported an upturn. EOS increased its sales by 20 percent, while Nikon SLM Solutions maintained its position in large-format metal systems. There was also demand for very large multi-laser systems, which benefited Eplus3D.

The mid-range price segment between US$20,000 and US$100,000, on the other hand, continued to decline. Deliveries fell by 13 percent, which CONTEXT attributes to financing hurdles and inconsistent reindustrialization programs. In the professional segment between US$2,500 and US$20,000, the decline in FDM and FFF systems continued as users increasingly switched to cheaper entry-level systems.

The entry-level segment below $2,500, on the other hand, grew by 18 percent. The market leaders here are Bambu Lab and Creality, which together account for 57 percent of global shipments. The inflow of capital into this segment underscores its continued momentum.

For 2025 as a whole, CONTEXT expects moderate sales growth in the single-digit percentage range. Better conditions are emerging for 2026, as falling interest rates could facilitate investment. China is currently considered the main driver of the recovery, while Western markets are likely to follow at a later stage.