Wohlers Report 2022: Unveiling Unprecedented Growth and Maturation in Additive Manufacturing

For an impressive 27th consecutive year, Wohlers Associates has meticulously compiled and released its highly anticipated annual report on the additive manufacturing (AM) industry. The Wohlers Report 2022 holds particular significance as it marks the first edition published since Wohlers Associates’ acquisition by ASTM International late last year, signaling a new chapter for this globally recognized benchmark. This comprehensive, 425-page document offers an in-depth analysis of the worldwide AM sector, meticulously charting its current landscape and pinpointing crucial emerging trends. A standout finding within this year’s report is the substantial growth and undeniable maturation of the AM sector compared to the previous year, strongly suggesting a robust recovery and resurgence following the global pandemic. Among the many indicators of this revitalization, the report highlights the increased consumption of polymer powders, which has for the first time surpassed photopolymers in quantity, marking a pivotal shift in material utilization within the industry.

The unparalleled depth and authority of the Wohlers Report 2022 stem from an extraordinary collaborative effort. This year’s edition benefited from the invaluable insights and support of an extensive network comprising 260 service providers, leading machine manufacturers, and innovative producers of third-party materials. Its content was meticulously crafted by a diverse team of 93 co-authors and contributors hailing from 33 different countries, each lending their expert views and unique perspectives. This significant increase in participation—up from 124 service providers, 113 AM machine manufacturers, 24 third-party material producers, and eighty-eight co-authors and contributors in the previous year—itself serves as a testament to the industry’s expanding reach and heightened engagement. This immense scope and global collaboration are precisely why the Wohlers Report is widely regarded as one of the most trusted and authoritative sources in the additive manufacturing industry. Through its rigorous research and commentary gathered from every corner of the globe, the report delivers an exceptionally accurate and comprehensive overview of the 3D printing sector’s health and the key trends that have shaped the past year.

Key Growth Drivers and Emerging Trends in Additive Manufacturing: Insights from Wohlers Report 2022

Exponential Industry Growth and Recovery

One of the most compelling trends illuminated in the Wohlers Report 2022 is the substantial expansion of the additive manufacturing industry throughout 2021. According to the official press release accompanying the report, research indicates an impressive AM industry growth rate of 19.5% for the year 2021. This figure represents a monumental rebound from the mere 7.5% increase observed in the previous year, which was largely attributed to the severe economic impacts of the global pandemic. While this growth signifies a powerful recovery, it’s worth noting that the industry has not yet fully reached its pre-COVID expansion levels; the ten-year average growth rate preceding 2020 stood at a robust 27.4%. Nevertheless, achieving nearly 20% growth in a single year post-pandemic is undeniably a significant milestone, showcasing the sector’s resilience and renewed vigor. Terry Wohlers, a leading figure as head of advisory services and market intelligence at Wohlers Associates, aptly summarized this resurgence, stating, “As expected, the industry has returned to a period of advancement and investment. This expansion cuts across aerospace, healthcare, automotive, consumer products, energy, and other sectors.” This broad-based growth underscores the increasing integration of additive manufacturing across diverse industrial landscapes.

Consolidation, Investment, and Market Maturation

The robust growth figures presented in the Wohlers Report 2022 are further reinforced by a palpable trend of market consolidation and escalating investment activity witnessed throughout the year. This dynamic environment is thoroughly detailed within the report, which chronicles an impressive 147 early-stage and corporate investments, alongside 75 mergers, acquisitions, and initial public offerings (IPOs). These numbers represent a near doubling of the activity recorded in the previous year’s report, where Wohlers Report 2021 cited 74 early-stage investments and 35 acquisitions and public offerings. While not directly translating to immediate growth metrics, this surge in financial transactions and strategic alignments speaks volumes about the deepening maturity and growing confidence within the additive manufacturing sector. It signals that companies are not only succeeding but also actively expanding their reach, consolidating market share, and attracting significant capital, all indirect yet powerful indicators of a thriving and evolving industry ecosystem. This trend suggests a long-term commitment from investors and a strategic drive from businesses to scale and integrate AM technologies more deeply into global manufacturing processes.

Shifting Material Landscapes and Industrial Application

Beyond financial metrics, the Wohlers Report 2022 keenly identifies the increasing industrial maturity of the AM sector as another critical trend. This maturation is evident in the growing number of companies leveraging additive manufacturing not just for prototyping, but for custom products and, crucially, for series production. This shift marks a significant move towards more widespread industrial applications of 3D printing technology, transcending its traditional role. A compelling illustration of this industrial pivot is the official ascendancy of polymer powders, which for the first time this year have surpassed photopolymers in terms of consumption. As graphically depicted above, polymer powder consumption experienced an remarkable surge of 43.4% in 2021. This substantial growth indicates a significant demand for robust, high-performance polymer parts, often used in end-use applications and mass customization, further cementing the technology’s role in mainstream manufacturing. This trend highlights a broader industry movement towards more durable, functional materials and the increasing adoption of technologies like Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) for production-scale endeavors.

Expanding Horizons: Sustainability, Workforce, and Diversity in AM

The Wohlers Report 2022 extends its analysis beyond core growth statistics to delve into several increasingly vital aspects influencing the future of additive manufacturing. Notably, Wohlers Associates has significantly expanded dedicated sections on the role of women in 3D printing, reflecting a growing industry focus on diversity and inclusion. Furthermore, the report provides deeper insights into strategies for scaling AM into full-scale production—another clear indication of the sector’s rapid industrialization and move beyond niche applications. Research and development (R&D) efforts continue to be a cornerstone of innovation, and the report thoroughly covers advancements in this area, alongside crucial discussions on workforce development to meet the evolving demands of a rapidly expanding industry. The emphasis on sustainability is particularly resonant, aligning with global concerns and trends observed across the manufacturing sector over the past year. As the urgency of climate change intensifies, the AM community is actively championing additive manufacturing not only for its inherent environmental advantages over traditional subtractive methods (due to reduced material waste and optimized designs) but also for making the technology itself inherently more sustainable through energy efficiency, recycled materials, and localized production. These expanded sections underscore a holistic view of the AM industry’s progress, focusing not just on technological and economic growth, but also on its societal and environmental responsibilities.

With its decidedly more hopeful and optimistic tone compared to the previous year’s report, the Wohlers Report 2022 paints a vivid picture of an industry not just recovering, but thriving. The critical question now revolves around the continuity of this impressive growth trajectory. If this momentum persists and accelerates, it will definitively demonstrate that the current expansion is far more than a mere post-pandemic recovery; it will signify that the additive manufacturing sector is genuinely expanding beyond its historical benchmarks, solidifying its position as an increasingly mainstream and indispensable technology for a vast array of industrial, commercial, and even consumer needs. This sustained growth would underscore AM’s transition from a specialized prototyping tool to a foundational element of advanced manufacturing. In the interim, for those eager to delve deeper into the wealth of data and insights presented in the Wohlers Report 2022, the full document is available for download HERE.

What are your thoughts on the groundbreaking findings of Wohlers Report 2022? Are you observing similar trends in your specific niche of the additive manufacturing world? We invite you to share your insights and perspectives in a comment below or engage with us on our vibrant social media platforms: Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter! Don’t miss out on the latest advancements and news from the dynamic world of 3D printing—be sure to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, delivering the freshest updates straight to your inbox! Additionally, immerse yourself in our video content by visiting our YouTube channel, where you’ll find a wealth of information and visual demonstrations.