Global Aerospace and Defense Additive Manufacturing Market Projection (2024-2030)

The global Aerospace & Defense Additive Manufacturing Market previously recorded a value of USD 4.46 Billion and anticipates reaching a market size of USD 18.56 Billion by 2030. Throughout the forecast period from 2024 to 2030, the market is poised to expand at a CAGR of 19.51%.

The principal catalysts fostering the dynamic growth of the Aerospace & Defense Additive Manufacturing Market include the escalating demand for additive manufacturing across diverse sectors and the increasing necessity for lightweight, easily manageable components.

Industry Insight:

Additive manufacturing represents a burgeoning sector characterized by rapid growth. In many respects, it is synonymous with 3D printing. Depending on the specific application and material employed, 3D printed products can vary in fragility or durability. Additive manufacturing, as a subset of 3D printing, produces exceptionally durable objects while retaining their lightweight properties. This approach serves as a compelling alternative to traditional heavy metal construction methods, particularly in scenarios where weight reduction is crucial. Within the aerospace and defense domains, there is a demand for lightweight components to optimize efficiency. By utilizing additive manufacturing, certain components of spacecraft and defense equipment are rendered lightweight, facilitating easier handling and transportation. This innovative approach is especially beneficial for space aircraft, where hundreds of sub-parts are now manufactured using additive manufacturing techniques, ensuring ease of transport through space.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Aerospace and Defense Additive Manufacturing Market:

The rapid global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic originating from Wuhan, China, had far-reaching repercussions across various industries. What initially seemed to be a common flu-like illness swiftly evolved into a global crisis, leading to widespread restrictions and lockdowns. Nations closed their borders, halting international and, in some cases, even internal travel. This had a profound impact on industries such as Aerospace & Defense Additive Manufacturing, which saw a significant downturn as manufacturing of space aircraft and defense equipment was deprioritized. While the industry has since recovered from the initial setbacks, the lasting effects of the pandemic were felt throughout its duration.

Market Drivers:

The market for Aerospace & Defense Additive Manufacturing is propelled by the compelling need for lightweight, easily manageable components:

Additive manufacturing yields products that are inherently lightweight, making them ideal for various applications. In the aerospace sector, the emphasis on lightweight aircraft is paramount, especially for missions beyond Earth's atmosphere. Heavy aircraft are impractical for space travel, necessitating a focus on weight reduction across all components. This need for lightweight materials also extends to the defense sector, where agility and ease of maneuverability are crucial on the battlefield. As a result, the demand for such lightweight, easily manageable components continues to drive market growth.

The growing adoption of additive manufacturing across diverse sectors is another significant driver fueling market expansion:

Many industries are increasingly favoring lightweight, easily transportable machinery and equipment. This shift has led to a rise in demand for additive manufacturing technologies. Notably, a substantial portion of the innovative A350 XWB aircraft incorporates additive manufacturing and 3D-printed components. This approach not only reduces reliance on traditional materials but also ensures the final product is lightweight and competitive in the market.

Market Challenges:

The growth of the Aerospace and Defense Additive Manufacturing Market is hampered by the high costs associated with manufacturing machinery and end products.

As a relatively nascent industry, additive manufacturing is yet to witness widespread cost-effective innovations. The raw materials required for production are notably expensive, making mass production economically challenging. Additionally, the machinery itself, essential for additive manufacturing, is costly and complex to acquire. Consequently, the overall manufacturing costs escalate significantly, posing a considerable challenge to utilizing this technology for mass production purposes. This obstacle remains a key factor inhibiting the market from realizing its full growth potential.

Market Segments:

This research analysis of the global Aerospace and Defense Additive Manufacturing Market has been divided based on Platform, Vertical, Application, Technology, and Region.

Aerospace and Defense Additive Manufacturing Market- By Platform

• Aviation
• Aircraft
• UAV
• Defense
• Combat Vehicles
• Military PPE
• Weapons
• Submarine Hulls
• Others

The aviation division has displayed the highest growth and held the leading market position historically due to increased investments within the sector. Nevertheless, the space category is predicted to experience substantial growth and dominate the period from 2022 to 2030. The development of various space innovations and exploration missions into distant galaxies is expected to contribute significantly to the expanding market share of this segment.

Aerospace and Defense Additive Manufacturing Market- By Vertical

• Printer
• Material
• Others

The initial advancements were primarily focused on various types of 3D printers for all applications, including commercial and professional use. Consequently, the printers sub-section held the largest market share in the past. Presently, additive manufacturing is progressing with diverse materials, and continuous experimentation with new materials for 3D printing is underway. Therefore, materials are projected to witness the most substantial growth during the forecast period.

Aerospace and Defense Additive Manufacturing Market- By Application

• Engine Components
• Space Components
• Structural Components
• Defense Equipment
• Others

The engine component segment is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period from 2024 to 2030. Conversely, the space components sector dominated the market in previous years, propelled by the increased focus on space exploration and governmental contributions to the market.

Aerospace and Defense Additive Manufacturing Market- By Technology

• Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
• Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS)
• Stereolithography (SLA)
• Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP)
• Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)
• Others

The Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) segment held the largest market share within the technology segment, owing to its durability and strength. However, in the forecasted period from 2022 to 2030, the Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) sub-segment is expected to grow rapidly due to its ability to produce products with the enduring properties desired in the market.

Aerospace and Defense Additive Manufacturing Market- By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Rest of the World

North America stands as the largest market for Aerospace and Defense Additive Manufacturing, boasting one of the largest military budgets globally and a highly developed space industry. Nevertheless, the Asia-Pacific region is estimated to become the largest market shareholder during the forecasted period due to the increasing defense budgets of countries such as India and China, along with advancements in the space sector.

Major Key Players in the Market

1. EOS
2. ProdWays TECH
3. 3D Systems, Inc.
4. EnvisionTEC
5. Stratasys Ltd.
6. Ultimaker BV
7. Renishaw plc.
8. ExOne
9. Optomec, Inc.
10. SLM Solutions
11. Market Insights and Developments

In November 2022, during the German Formnext expo, Stratasys showcased a fully automated additive manufacturing process guided by robots, running an entire manufacturing line without human intervention.

In January 2022, Nanoscribe introduced the Quantum X align additive manufacturer, a 3D printer capable of easily printing desired items onto optical fibers and photonic chips.