Introduction
According to the latest “2024 Composite Materials 3D Printing Market” report released by VoxelMatters Research, the composite material 3D printing market will achieve an annual growth rate of 21.1% in 2023, with the total market value increasing from US$648 million last year to US$785 million.
The main driver of this growth came from the hardware manufacturer, whose sales increased by 18.5% from $278 million to $330 million. At the same time, material suppliers also showed strong growth momentum, increasing from US$148 million to US$187 million, an increase of 26%. In addition, the revenue of 3D printing service providers has also increased from US$221 million in 2022 to US$268 million in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 21.2%.
In addition, the report also lists the top ten companies in this field, let’s take a look at who they are.
NO1. Markforged
The largest company in terms of revenue is Markforged, which will have annual revenue of approximately $94 million in 2023. Markforged has developed a unique continuous fiber manufacturing (CFF) technology that combines thermoplastic filaments with continuous fibers to create high-strength composite parts.
Markforged’s industrial-grade printers, like the X-Series, utilize CFF technology to produce parts with exceptional strength, stiffness and durability, and these printers can work with materials such as carbon fiber, fiberglass and Kevlar. In addition to industrial-grade solutions, Markforged also offers desktop-grade printers. The Mark Two and Mark One (Onyx Pro) desktop printers feature CFF technology and use support materials such as Onyx (carbon fiber-filled nylon), making them suitable for education, prototyping and small-scale production.
NO2. Stratasys
More than 30 years ago, Stratasys founder Scott Crump invented fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology. In 2018, Stratasys launched the Fortus 380mc carbon fiber printer, the company’s first FDM system specifically designed for carbon fiber-filled nylon 12 materials.
As part of the transition to the F-Series brand, Stratasys has launched the F123CR series of composite 3D printers, including the F190CR and F370CR systems, designed to provide carbon fiber 3D printing solutions for more demanding application scenarios.
NO3. EOS
EOS, a German company founded by Dr. Hans J. Langer, has become the market leader in industrial-grade selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printing, especially in the field of composite SLS. EOS is the only advanced system supplier on the market to launch high-performance composite PEKK powders, such as the EOS P 810 model.
Although this system is not widely available on the market, it is noteworthy for its ability to process Arkema’s EOS HT-23 PEKK polymer, which can be used to create parts with temperatures well in excess of 200°C. In addition, composites specialist Hexcel offers HexAM services, using its upgraded EOS system to produce composite PEKK parts.
NO4. HP
Since the introduction of Multi-Jet Fusion (MJF) technology in 2016, HP has focused on high-volume production of end-use parts, fundamentally changing the global additive manufacturing landscape. As productivity increases, the workflow complexity of the HP Jet Fusion 5200 system also increases significantly.
Currently, HP’s hardware supports one composite material: PA 12 glass beads. Containing 40% glass bead fill, this material is a highly stiff, reusable thermoplastic suitable for the 5200 and 4200 platforms.
NO5. Airtech
Airtech has become a leading supplier of composite granular materials for large format additive manufacturing (LFAM) technology. Airtech is filling a gap in the market by forming partnerships with leading global LFAM hardware developers, including companies such as Caracol and CMS.
Airtech has developed a series of innovative composite resins under the Dahltram brand, such as ABS, PETG, PC, PEI, PESU, etc., specifically for large-scale 3D printing.
NO6. 3D Systems
3D Systems, which has long been the primary composite powder supplier for its selective laser sintering (SLS) platform, offers materials including carbon fiber reinforced, glass reinforced nylon powder, and mineral filled nylon powder. At the same time, a classic model SLS 380 was also launched.
Most recently, 3D Systems entered the field of large format additive manufacturing (LFAM) through the acquisition of US company Titan and is now becoming an increasingly important supplier of granular composites.
NO7. Ingersoll
As part of the Camozzi Group, Ingersoll is one of the first companies in the world to develop large format additive manufacturing (LFAM) technology for composite materials. The company sells its machines in North America and Europe and leverages its extensive experience with high-end CNC systems to produce very large machines that sell for more than $1 million.
As the LFAM market has grown significantly, new players such as gantry-based CMS and several other robotic LFAM operators have also started entering the market.
NO8. Materialize
Materialize mainly provides composite 3D printed parts using powder bed fusion (PBF) technology, specifically selective laser sintering (SLS) technology (using EOS machines) and multi-jet fusion (MJF) technology (using HP machines), as well as using Stratasys machines Produced Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) parts.
Materialize remains the largest composite additive manufacturing service provider from a revenue perspective.
NO9. MCPP
MCPP is a division of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation that produces high-performance polymers. In 2018, MCPP completed the acquisition of Dutch filament supplier Dutch Filaments.
This move enables MCPP to develop and sell a variety of composite filament materials, including engineering filaments, high-temperature filaments, recycled filaments, and granular materials suitable for large-format additive manufacturing. Their 3D printing product line uses raw materials provided by LEHVOSS and DSM/Covestro.
NO10. SABIC
SABIC is a large chemical manufacturing company and, as a subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, it is a major producer of a variety of plastic materials including polyolefins, polypropylene and polyethylene. In recent years, SABIC has begun to enter the field of 3D printing polymers, especially the production of high-performance ULTEM thermoplastic filaments.
SABIC, through its THERMOCOMP AM product line, has developed special compounds specifically for large-format additive manufacturing. These materials are designed for large pellet feed extrusion systems and include ABS, PPE, PC and PEI.
