3D Printing in Healthcare Market Overview and Introduction

3D printing in healthcare market was estimated to be US$ 3,961.6 Mn in 2018. It is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 23.0% from 2019 to 2030.

Additive manufacturing (AM) refers to process that uses 3D design to build a structure by various materials. The term 3D printing (3DP) technology is increasingly used as a synonym for additive manufacturing. 3D printing technology uses computer generated 3D design and various materials to create 3D structures. The materials used are in fine powder form that are added layer by layer to form a final structure. This process varies from the conventional or traditional method of manufacturing products. 3D printing technology enables testing, designing a prototype, and creating functional components of a product, also to understand different materials that are compatible with 3DP technology while creating a prototype version of a product. 3D printing technology is widely used in various industries like automotive, aeronautics, construction and healthcare among others. In the field of healthcare, 3D printing has been a playing a crucial role in designing & building of prototype models, these includes anatomical models, medical devices, prosthetics & orthotics, and dental implants.

Advent of novel technologies, minimization of human error to improve patient-care, customization of products to suit patient-specific requirements have been critical in contributing to the growth of the global 3D printing in healthcare market. Adoption of 3D printing technology for surgical preplanning or pre-operative method of visualizing surgical intervention to pre-define surgical steps have been pivotal in improving healthcare precision and reduce cost and time associated with surgeries. Moreover, growing application of 3D printing technology in pharmaceuticals, dental, prosthetics and bioprinting among others, is anticipated to further contribute to the prosperous growth of the global 3D printing market. However, stringent regulations by FDA and other governing bodies, lack of reimbursement policies and dearth of skilled professionals are likely to restrain the market to a certain extent.

3D Printing in Healthcare Market by Process/Technology and Material

On the basis of process/technology, the 3D printing in healthcare market is segmented into material extrusion, powder bed fusion, VAT Photopolymerization, material jetting, binder jetting, hybrid systems and other processes/technologies. The process of material extrusion is anticipated to account for the largest market share in the global 3D printing market, owing to its wide scale implementation across several applications in the field of dental, medical devices and other healthcare applications. The material segment can be segmented into plastics/polymers, metals, ceramics, organic and other materials. Plastics/Polymers is anticipated account for the largest share of the market, owing to diverse application of these polymers and plastics in the fabrication of prosthesis, implants and prototyping.

3D Printing in Healthcare Market by Application

The 3D printing in healthcare market is segmented into prototyping, design & development, anatomical models, surgical instruments/medical components, prosthetics/orthotics, dental, implants, tissue engineering/bioprinting and other applications. The prototyping, design & development segment is estimated to account for a significant share in the 3D printing in healthcare market. Increasing use of 3D printing technology in manufacturing of models, prototypes for assisting in surgical pre-panning are some of the factors driving the growth of application segment.

3D Printing in Healthcare Market by Regions

The global 3D printing in healthcare market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World (ROW). North America dominated the market of 3D printing in healthcare, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. However, Asia Pacific is expected to witness the highest CAGR, with the growth in this market centered at Korea, China, and Japan. Factors such as the rising focus of major players in emerging Asian countries, improving healthcare systems and government initiatives, adoption of advanced technologies are driving the growth of the 3D printing in healthcare in this region.

3D Printing in Healthcare Market Prominent Players

The prominent players in the global 3D printing in healthcare are Stratasys Ltd., Materialise, 3D Systems, Inc. and Other Prominent Players