PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1773610
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1773610
Aerospace additive manufacturing, also referred to as 3D printing in aerospace, involves the utilization of additive manufacturing technologies to fabricate components and parts for aerospace applications. This process entails layer-by-layer construction of materials such as metals, polymers, or composites, enabling the creation of intricate forms and structures that may be challenging or impossible to produce using conventional manufacturing methods.
The primary types of additive manufacturing utilized in aerospace involve various materials such as metal alloys, plastics, rubber, and others. In the aerospace industry, non-critical parts of aircraft, including ductwork, interior components, and certain engine parts, are manufactured through additive manufacturing techniques. These methods encompass technologies such as laser sintering, 3D printing, electron beam melting, fused deposition modeling, stereo lithography, among others, and are employed in platforms such as aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and spacecraft. Additive manufacturing in aerospace finds applications in producing engine components, structural parts, and various other aerospace-related uses.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
The sharp increase in U.S. tariffs and resulting trade disputes in spring 2025 are significantly affecting the aerospace and defense sector. Prices for key materials such as titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics primarily sourced from international suppliers have surged. Defense contractors, constrained by fixed-price government contracts, are forced to absorb these rising costs. Meanwhile, commercial aerospace companies are encountering resistance from airlines over increased aircraft prices. In addition, customs delays are disrupting already tight production timelines for jets and satellites. In response, the industry is stockpiling essential materials, pursuing import waivers for defense-related goods, and working with allied nations to diversify supply chains.
The aerospace additive manufacturing market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides aerospace additive manufacturing market statistics, including global market size, regional shares, competitors with an aerospace additive manufacturing market share, detailed aerospace additive manufacturing market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the aerospace additive manufacturing industry. This aerospace additive manufacturing market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The aerospace additive manufacturing market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $5.26 billion in 2024 to $6.21 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.0%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to weight reduction and fuel efficiency, complex geometries and design flexibility, cost reduction and efficiency improvements, materials advancements, rapid prototyping and iterative design.
The aerospace additive manufacturing market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $13.21 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption in commercial aviation, advancements in print speed and scale, supply chain resilience and localized production, emerging materials and composites, sustainable manufacturing practices. Major trends in the forecast period include materials innovation, scaling production with large-scale additive manufacturing, enhanced design capabilities with generative design, supply chain resilience through on-demand manufacturing, quality assurance and certification advances.
The forecast of 20.8% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.3% from the previous estimate for this market.This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US through tariff-induced increases in costs of importing critical additive manufacturing software and laser systems from Europe, limiting scalability of on-demand part production.The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.
The increase in air passenger traffic, driven by various factors such as work-related, business-related, and tourism-related travel, is prompting aircraft companies to expand their flight offerings, subsequently leading to heightened aircraft manufacturing activities. This surge in aircraft production is contributing to increased utilization of aerospace additive manufacturing technologies. For instance, data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in February 2023 revealed a substantial 64.4% rise in total passenger traffic in 2022 compared to the previous year. Notably, air traffic surged by 39.7% in December 2022 alone compared to December 2021. Therefore, the escalating number of passengers is a driving force behind the growth of the aerospace additive manufacturing market.
The expanding commercial satellite industry is anticipated to significantly boost the growth of the aerospace additive manufacturing market in the coming years. Commercial satellites are those launched for business purposes, while satellite radio is a type of digital broadcasting that transmits audio signals over large geographic areas with greater consistency and clarity than traditional radio. The implementation of aerospace additive manufacturing in the commercial satellite sector offers enhancements in design flexibility, cost efficiency, and performance, along with improved thermal management and simplified assembly processes, contributing to the overall advancement of satellite technologies. For example, in June 2023, the Satellite Industry Association, a trade association based in the U.S., reported that the global space economy generated $384 billion in revenue in 2022, with the commercial satellite industry leading the way at $281 billion, accounting for over 73% of the total market. Additionally, satellite manufacturing experienced growth, reaching $15.8 billion, marking an increase of more than 15% from 2021, driven by innovations and lower manufacturing costs. Consequently, the burgeoning commercial satellite industry is propelling the growth of the aerospace additive manufacturing market.
Leading companies in the aerospace additive manufacturing market are concentrating on innovative products like 3D printers and additive manufacturing technologies. Additive manufacturing is a process that builds parts by adding material layer by layer, typically using 3D printing, which is different from traditional manufacturing that removes material from a solid block. 3D printers are devices that employ this additive manufacturing technology to produce three-dimensional objects from digital files. In June 2022, Collins Aerospace, a prominent player in the aerospace and defense sector based in the U.S., inaugurated a new additive manufacturing center to enhance its capabilities in manufacturing aircraft parts and components. The primary goal of this expansion is to lower weight, costs, and time to market for aircraft parts while delivering more sustainable solutions to customers. Furthermore, this initiative aims to support the development of the next generation of aircraft through optimized designs.
Major companies in this market are concentrating on innovative product development, such as industrial-grade 3D printers, to drive revenue growth. For instance, in November 2022, Wipro 3D, a division of Wipro Limited based in India, unveiled the Wipro 3D F300-2. This 3D printer, utilizing fused filament fabrication (FFF) technology, caters to diverse sectors including educational institutions, industries, engineering firms, and research and development centers. Notably, its Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity enables remote monitoring and control, offering convenience and accessibility. The printer boasts features ensuring user safety and high-quality 3D prints, including dual filtration, a self-cleaning nozzle, a magnetic print bed, and automatic platform leveling. Designed for accuracy, speed, versatility, strength, and reliability, the Wipro 3D F300-2 stands as a premium polymer 3D printer, providing exceptional print quality, performance, ease of use, and a streamlined printing process.
In October 2022, GKN Aerospace, a UK-based aerospace supplier, acquired Permanova Lasersystem AB for an undisclosed amount. This strategic acquisition is geared towards expanding GKN's capabilities, fostering sustainable and cost-effective material solutions for customers, and enhancing additive manufacturing proficiency, particularly within the engines business. Permanova Lasersystem AB, headquartered in Sweden, specializes in developing and manufacturing advanced laser systems using the additive manufacturing process, catering to various industries, including aerospace.
Major companies operating in the aerospace additive manufacturing market include 3D Systems Corporation, Arcam AB, Concept Laser GmbH, CRP Technology Srl, EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems, ExOne Company, Optomec Inc., SLM Solutions Group AG, Stratasys Ltd., CRS Holdings Inc., General Electric Company, 3DCeram S.A.S., Carpenter Technology Corporation, Arconic Corporation, Markforged, Airbus SE, Boeing Company, Bombardier Inc., Embraer S.A., Rolls-Royce Holdings plc, Honeywell International Inc., Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Safran S.A., BAE Systems plc, Cobham plc, General Dynamics Corporation, Harris Corporation, Kaman Corporation, Moog Inc., Parker Hannifin Corporation, United Technologies Corporation, Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc., AeroVironment Inc., Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation, Blue Origin LLC, RTX Corporation
North America was the largest region in the aerospace additive manufacturing market in 2024. The regions covered in the aerospace additive manufacturing market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa
The countries covered in the aerospace additive manufacturing market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain
The aerospace additive manufacturing market consists of revenues earned by entities by design and engineering support, material selection and testing, post-processing and finishing and quality assurance and certification. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The aerospace additive manufacturing market also consists of sales of mechanical components and electronic components. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Aerospace Additive Manufacturing Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on aerospace additive manufacturing market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for aerospace additive manufacturing? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The aerospace additive manufacturing market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.