Global Robotics in Additive Manufacturing Market Size (2024 – 2030)

As of 2023, the global market for Robotics in Additive Manufacturing was valued at $112.58 million. Projections indicate a substantial growth trajectory, with an anticipated market size of $253.58 million by 2030. The forecast period spanning from 2024 to 2030 suggests a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.3%. Notably, the burgeoning automation trend within the electronics industry, coupled with advancements in additive technologies, predominantly propels the industry's expansion.

Industrial Overview:

Industrial robotics encompass automated machines utilized in manufacturing processes. These robots are programmable and capable of movement along three or more axes. Their applications span across various industries, driving efficiencies by replacing labor-intensive tasks. The growing demand for industrial robots is underpinned by technological advancements, making them more affordable, autonomous, mobile, cooperative, and adaptable. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) World Robotics Report 2020, global installations of industrial robots are projected to reach 584,000 units.

In response to escalating demand across economies, manufacturers are increasingly embracing robotic automation to streamline repetitive tasks. Japan leads the global production of industrial robots, accounting for over 45% of the international supply, as reported by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). Meanwhile, China has articulated ambitions to emerge as a global robotics hub by 2025, leveraging medical robots produced by companies such as Fourier Intelligence. These advanced robots find applications across diverse sectors including aerospace, mining, automotive, agriculture, and logistics, catering to burgeoning demands.

Industry 4.0, characterized as the latest industrial revolution, has catalyzed the development of novel technologies like collaborative robots and AI-enabled systems. These innovations empower industries to optimize processes, enhance efficiency, and mitigate errors. Furthermore, the integration of robotic systems has led to improved workplace safety and heightened production capabilities.

According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, manufacturing volume surged from approximately 237,000 units to 363,000 units, representing a growth of over 50% in 2021 compared to 2020.

Impact of COVID-19 on Robotics in Additive Manufacturing Market:

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted various sectors including construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and tourism. Manufacturing activities were either suspended or curtailed, while disruptions in supply chains hindered construction and transportation operations globally. Consequently, the production and demand for industrial robots experienced a downturn, restraining market growth. However, as industries gradually resume normal operations, industrial robotics firms are expected to recover to full-scale capacities by the end of 2021.

Market Drivers:

Public-private initiatives aimed at mitigating the COVID-19 impact are key growth drivers for the market:

The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Institute, a public-private partnership funded by the US Department of Defense, focuses on enhancing manufacturers' competitiveness through collaborative efforts and innovative robotics solutions. Notably, initiatives under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act expedite funding for rapid-response projects, stimulating companies to develop innovative solutions. Similarly, the Indian government's incentive package, including the extension of the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, incentivizes manufacturers, particularly in the automotive sector.

Government Initiatives propel market growth:

Governments worldwide are implementing initiatives to bolster the robotics sector. For instance, the Japanese government offers USD 221 million in subsidies to encourage Japanese companies to relocate to India and other regions as part of its China exit policy. Meanwhile, France extends financial support through its State Guarantee scheme to alleviate liquidity concerns among businesses. Indonesia's stimulus programs, totaling US$8.725 billion, aim to safeguard the economy and support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), especially in the manufacturing sector. Additionally, Singapore's decision to maintain the goods and services tax (GST) at seven percent mitigates adverse impacts on businesses amidst the pandemic.

Market Restraints:

The high deployment costs pose a significant restraint to market growth:

Robotic automation projects entail substantial capital expenditure, not only for robot procurement but also for integration, programming, and maintenance. Custom integration may further escalate costs, exacerbating challenges for companies lacking prior experience in automation. Additionally, the spatial and infrastructural requirements for robot deployment may not be readily available for all companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in low-volume production, making return on investment (ROI) considerations complex.

Robotics in Additive Manufacturing Market - By Application

• Automotive
• Electrical/Electronics
• Metal/Heavy Machinery
• Chemical, Rubber, & Plastics
• Food
• Others

Concerning applications, the burgeoning integration of automation in automotive manufacturing processes, alongside advancements in AI and digitalization, stands as the principal catalyst propelling the demand for industrial robots within the sector.

In the contemporary automotive landscape, the evolution of robotics technology has accelerated to keep pace with the rapid transformations in the automotive industry. The implementation of robotics solution simulation and digital commissioning is poised to harness the maximum benefits of factory automation for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), startups, and suppliers operating within the current automotive milieu.

As per the OrganisationInternationale des Constructeursd'Automobiles (OICA), global sales of new automobiles surged from 34,321,700 in the initial quarter of 2020 to 44,401,850 in the same period of 2021. This surge underscores the swift expansion within the automotive industry.

The escalating demand for vehicles necessitates a corresponding surge in production. As per the Alternative Fuel Data Center, the number of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations, both public and private, in the United States witnessed consistent growth from 106,814 to 128,474 in 2021.

The burgeoning automotive industry in Asia presents extensive opportunities for the global industrial robot market. Notably, China stands as the largest Electric Vehicle market globally. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), China registered a total of 3.4 million Electric vehicles, constituting 51.5% of the global market share.

For instance, Waymo and Jaguar announced a long-term partnership aimed at developing the world's premier self-driving electric vehicle.

Robotics in Additive Manufacturing Market - By Components

• Robotic Arms
• Robot Accessories
• End Effectors
• Controllers
• Drive Units
• Vision Systems
• Sensors
• Power Supply
• Others

Regarding components, the growth trajectory of the industrial robotics market is anticipated to be most pronounced for robot accessories, particularly end-effectors and vision systems. Technological advancements have led to significant strides in end-effectors. These advancements have been propelled, in part, by the imperative to achieve dexterous manipulation in industrial robots for enhanced efficiency, particularly in pick-and-place operations. End-effectors are poised to attain greater technical sophistication in the future, as machine learning algorithms and safety features are increasingly integrated into End of Arm Tools (EOAT), alongside the ability to adapt to their surroundings using computer vision.

Robotics in Additive Manufacturing Market - By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• The Middle East
• Africa

Geographically, the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) reports that organizations in North America ordered 9,853 robots in the second quarter of 2021, marking a significant increase compared to 2020, which saw 5,196 sales. This surge has led to the creation of new employment opportunities. Furthermore, according to the Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the primary driver behind the year-to-date expansion in industrial robots was an 83% increase in units purchased by automotive OEMs for process automation. North America, according to the Association for Advancing Automation, witnessed the most substantial sales of 39,708 units, amounting to USD two billion in 2021, representing a 28% increase over 2020 and a 14% increase over their previous high in 2017. Initiatives such as the formation of the “Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP)” aim to foster collaboration between universities, industries, and the federal government to invest in emerging technologies, thereby enabling the country to gain a competitive edge in the global economy. The robotic density increased from 176 units in 2017 to 255 units in 2020, according to the International Federation of Robotics. Several automotive manufacturers have invested in new electric vehicle models to bolster battery production capacity. Such initiatives are expected to drive the demand for industrial robots in the coming years.

Robotics in Additive Manufacturing Market - Share by Company

Key players include:

1. ABB (Switzerland)
2. FANUC (Japan)
3. YASKAWA (Japan)
4. KUKA (Germany)
5. Mitsubishi Electric (Japan)
6. Kawasaki Heavy Industries (Japan)
7. Denso Corporation (Japan)
8. NACHI-FUJIKOSHI (Japan)
9. Seiko Epson (Japan)
10. DÜrr (Germany)

Recently, DHL Supply Chain invested $15 million in robotic solutions for its warehouse supply chain network. Robots streamline supply chain operations by reducing long-term costs, enhancing productivity, minimizing errors, and optimizing picking operations.

ABB announced the acquisition of Codian Robotics (Netherlands), a leading provider of delta robots primarily used for high-precision pick-and-place applications. Codian Robotics' product line includes a hygienic design, particularly suitable for hygiene-sensitive industries such as food and beverage and pharmaceuticals. This acquisition is expected to broaden ABB's delta robot offerings.

Numerous market players are continually updating their policies to bolster market growth.

NOTABLE EVENTS IN THE GLOBAL ROBOTICS IN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING MARKET IN RECENT TIMES:

• Product Launch - In February 2022, Comau and IUVO introduced wearable robotics solutions aimed at enhancing the efficiency of operators involved in manual load handling, with a focus on promoting well-being by reducing lower back fatigue.
• Acquisition - In April 2022, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. and Sony Group Corporation announced an agreement to establish a new company to operate remote robot platform businesses. This endeavor is expected to advance technological capabilities in developing remote robot platforms capable of operating from distant locations.