Latest Global 3D Printing in Electronics Report Signals a Steadily Growing Industry

Global 3D Printed Electronics Report provides in-depth analysis on trends, growth and 2021-2027 forecasts.

Companies like Optomec are steadily bringing additive manufacturing to the electronics market with offerings including printed 3D interconnects for 3D stacked die (l), mmWave (c), and flex circuit (r). (Image courtesy of Optomec.)

Companies like Optomec are steadily bringing additive manufacturing to the electronics market with offerings including printed 3D interconnects for 3D stacked die (l), mmWave (c), and flex circuit (r). (Image courtesy of Optomec.)

While the global 3D printing market reached $13.78 billion in 2020 and is expected to achieve a 21 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2021-2028, the electronics segment looks to be one of the industry’s rising stars. In the recent in-depth Global 3D Printing in Electronics Market report, 3D-printed electronics is forecasted to be worth $5.1 billion by 2027, a 25.10 percent CAGR growth.

Segmented into market type, industry and region, this extensive report offers insight into recent trends, factors influencing growth, challenges, leaders in the industry and much more that are key to stakeholders when it comes to developing growth strategies, innovation and value of the industry.

Regional Trends

Additive manufacturing and electronics might have been a combo that took a while to mesh but advances in printers and materials enabled a surge in uses from prototypes to much more. As continued innovations emerge in microscale printing and other technologies, the flexibility, lower costs and enhanced reliability of 3D printing electronics is making it flourish across the globe.

Leading the pack since 2018 has been North America, especially across end-use industries including aerospace, automotive, defense and telecommunications. Others are following suit with a surge in medical and consumer opportunities. With powerhouses such as Stratasys in the region, research and development have been soaring. The report indicates that the U.S. alone will have a 28 percent CAGR over the next eight years.

Following closely on North America’s heels is the Asia Pacific region, which is expected to grow the fastest. China, India and Indonesia are propelling the market forward thanks to a surge in consumer electronic devices, including drones, smartphones and wearable devices. A study indicated that those three countries had 2.5 billion smartphone connections in 2017.

European countries gaining ground include Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, again thanks to increased demand for electronics. As other regions become more industrialized and urbanized, favorable foreign policies are expected to fuel Latin America’s rise in the ranks.

Market Factors

While demand may be a driving force for growth, there are many factors that affect the market, from a global pandemic to the ability to stay competitive.

COVID-19 Impact

The global impact of COVID-19 has and continues to affect nearly every industry in one way or another. Keeping up with consumers has always been an ever-changing pursuit, and the pandemic only made it more pronounced. Stay-at-home orders, loss of employment and other factors created plummeting sales, including for electronics 3D printing.

Along with the challenges it has created, it has also ushered in a wave of opportunities that may have taken longer to achieve. Companies that were able to continue operations had a new direction to focus, enabling more attention to obstacles faced in the industry. In 2021, markets sales look to be rising, though they are expected to dip again in 2022 and then steadily rise over the next six years.

Technological Advances

As industries embrace the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, 3D-printed electronics are a complementary option. The interconnectivity of this market is like no other in that it is already a key player in bringing IoT solutions to life. The study focused on key markets where additive manufacturing has the potential to make a massive impact, including augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G.

Boosting the development of 3D printing for IoT solutions is a reduction in cost for sensors and Internet connections. 3D printing enables the printing of complex geometries with precise configurations while being less expensive. Since circuitry is no longer needed with this method, it is playing a vital role in the increased need for high-performing 3D sensors.

Need for Efficiency

Staying competitive means cost-efficient manufacturing. 3D printing offers a means to achieve that goal. Unlike traditional methods, it requires fewer materials, which is especially important in a time when the global supply chain is struggling to meet up with demand, as well as allows for precise manufacturing that can easily be altered as issues arise. From fast prototyping to reduced lead time, the 3D-printed electronics market is benefiting from these operational efficiencies.

Use Cases

To complete the analysis, benchmarks were established for the top 15 to 20 companies. Vectors include product offering, applications, revenue, profitability, historic datasets and validated market shares. Ongoing interviews and communications with industry participants, as well as end-users, have enabled the research to have a precise pulse on the latest innovations and uses for 3D printing electronics.

That research points to the aerospace and defense industries growing the fastest. Since physical space and weight are highly focused on parameters, lightweight, reliable 3D-printed electronics offer a solution that can help reduce fuel consumption and minimize the space needed for onboard systems. In July 2018, Lockheed Martin started collaborating with Arconic on new materials and 3D printing processes to help meet the rugged demands of its industry.

The automotive industry is also ripe to benefit from 3D-printed electronic components. This segment is set to significantly grow thanks to the flexibility and other benefits that the process provides over traditional methods.

Partnering with Nano Dimension, HENSOLDT achieved a 10-layer printed circuit board (PCB) with populated outer sides. (Image courtesy of HENSOLDT.)

Partnering with Nano Dimension, HENSOLDT achieved a 10-layer printed circuit board (PCB) with populated outer sides. (Image courtesy of HENSOLDT.)

Helping those industries get what they need are companies like Nano Dimension, which is innovating 3D-printed circuit boards. In 2020, Nano Dimension worked with HENSOLDT to assemble the first 10-layer 3D printed circuit board (PCB), which carries high-performance electronic structures soldered to both outer sides. Previously, 3D-printed ones were unable to withstand the soldering process required for the two-sided population of components.

According to Thomas Müller, HENSOLDT CEO, “Military sensor solutions require performance and reliability levels far above those of commercial components. To have high-density components quickly available with reduced effort by means of 3D printing gives us a competitive edge in the development process of such high-end electronic systems.”

Electronics companies themselves are also moving more toward 3D-printing components. Innovations from the 3D printing leaders in materials and machines are fueling that increased growth while also enabling the manufacturers to explore new ways to innovate their products.

Xerox has also been exploring 3D-printed circuit board technology since 2013. Focused on smart devices, its technologies enable more flexibility for electrical engineers in that they don’t have to design around a flat PCB board. Whatever the end-product, 3D printing enables it to be shaped for a perfect fit.

Harris Corporation, a communication company, has been using 3D printing to develop 3D-printed radio frequency electronics. Using Optomec’s Aerosol Jet Technology, it can print micron-sized components in-house. Neotech AMT—a Germany-based maker of conductors, resistors, etc.—turned to a BotFactory’s 3D printer for its needs. Its printer combines conductive ink with a solder paste extruder for fast, efficient printing.

This market report has a plethora of information that is designed to assist end-users, manufacturers, suppliers and other investors in overcoming challenges and pushing the 3D-printing industry toward impressive growth. It can be purchased, or a sample report requested, here.