Wohlers Report 2023: Unveiling Double-Digit Growth and Pivotal Trends in Additive Manufacturing

The Wohlers Report stands as the definitive global benchmark for the additive manufacturing (AM) and 3D printing industry. Universally recognized as the “bible of 3D printing,” this annual publication is an indispensable resource for professionals, researchers, investors, and enthusiasts seeking to understand the dynamic market landscape, key characteristics, and future trends of this transformative technology. Its rigorous data collection and expert analysis provide unparalleled insights into the sector’s evolution, making it a critical tool for strategic planning and informed decision-making across various industries.

The highly anticipated 2023 edition, marking the 28th annual report, has just been released by Wohlers Associates, now powered by ASTM International. This year’s report resoundingly emphasizes the continued, robust growth of the additive manufacturing sector, a testament to its resilience and increasing industrial adoption. The findings reveal reassuring double-digit growth, a strong indicator that should further incentivize organizations and individuals to invest in advanced 3D technologies. Specifically, the expert team behind the Wohlers Report 2023 meticulously documented an impressive 18.3% growth for AM products and services in 2022. This significant figure unequivocally confirms the market’s strong recovery from the global pandemic and signals a promising trajectory for the years ahead. This growth metric is not speculative; it is meticulously calculated from a vast repository of hard data, directly furnished by hundreds of companies operating worldwide, ensuring the report’s accuracy and comprehensive scope.

The sheer scale of collaboration behind the Wohlers Report 2023 underscores its authority and global perspective. This year’s extensive 425-page document was the culmination of efforts from an international team of 97 co-authors, representing 35 distinct countries. Furthermore, an astounding 412 companies contributed valuable data and insights, providing a truly panoramic view of the additive manufacturing market from diverse geographical and industrial vantage points. This collaborative approach ensures that the report captures the nuances and complexities of a rapidly evolving global industry, offering real, actionable insights into current market conditions and emerging opportunities.

Global revenue for additive manufacturing services (yellow) and products (orange), expressed in billions of dollars (photo credits: Wohlers Report)

This year, the Wohlers Report delves into a multitude of critical and diverse topics that are shaping the future of additive manufacturing. Beyond the foundational analysis of different 3D printing processes, materials utilized, and targeted applications, the report shines a spotlight on several transformative themes. These include the burgeoning importance of the circular economy and recycling within AM, the significant advancements and growing impact of metal binder jetting technology, and the increasingly vital role of 3D technologies in healthcare. A notable emphasis this year is placed on the accelerating trend toward producing end-use parts, signaling a pivotal shift from prototyping to full-scale industrial production.

Terry Wohlers, the esteemed head of advisory services and business intelligence at Wohlers Associates, encapsulates this overarching theme, stating, “The AM industry is continuing to expand into end-use production applications. This trend will grow as standards are further developed and adopted. AM is delivering larger and more critical parts across multiple industry sectors.” This observation is hardly surprising, as the report consistently illustrates the deepening industrialization of additive manufacturing. The market is maturing rapidly, witnessing the development and adoption of faster, more automated, and profoundly production-oriented solutions. This evolution is occurring across increasingly larger production series, pushing AM beyond its traditional niche. Concurrently, public bodies and governmental organizations are actively participating in these developments, proposing and implementing initiatives designed to promote the broader adoption and integration of 3D technologies into mainstream manufacturing ecosystems. This concerted effort from both private and public sectors is accelerating AM’s journey towards becoming a cornerstone of modern industrial production.

Diving deeper into the specific subjects detailed in the Wohlers Report 2023, the interconnected concepts of recycling and the circular economy emerged as particularly prominent. This robust focus underscores a fundamental paradigm shift within additive manufacturing: the transition towards more sustainable and resource-efficient practices. The report strongly supports the idea that AM uniquely empowers users to “design new with old,” effectively recovering waste materials and transforming them into valuable new products. This capability not only minimizes landfill burden but also promotes a closed-loop system where resources are continuously reused and regenerated. It is worth noting that sustainability was already a major issue and a key discussion point in last year’s report, indicating its enduring and growing importance as a strategic imperative for the industry.

Beyond sustainability, the 2023 report extensively highlights metal binder jetting, dissecting both the immense opportunities and inherent challenges this innovative process brings. Metal binder jetting offers several advantages, including cost-effectiveness, the ability to produce complex geometries without support structures, and potential for high-volume production of metal parts. However, the report also addresses critical challenges such as achieving consistent material properties, managing post-processing requirements, and developing advanced binders. Another significant area of focus is the transformative role of AM in healthcare. From personalized implants and prosthetics to advanced surgical guides and bioprinted tissues, 3D printing is revolutionizing patient care, enabling unprecedented customization and accelerating medical innovation.

Furthermore, the report explores the dynamic landscape of startups within the AM sector, recognizing their vital role in driving innovation and introducing disruptive technologies to the market. These agile new companies are often at the forefront of developing novel materials, processes, and applications, contributing significantly to the industry’s rapid evolution. Finally, a crucial, and often complex, issue addressed is how the market can effectively attract and retain a younger, skilled workforce. This is a multi-faceted challenge, especially considering the escalating demands for specialized qualifications and advanced technical skills required in additive manufacturing. The report emphasizes the need for robust educational programs, vocational training initiatives, and strategic efforts to bridge the widening skills gap to ensure a sustained pipeline of talent for the industry’s continued growth.

The Wohlers Report 2023 serves as an invaluable strategic guide, offering stakeholders a clear roadmap through the complexities and opportunities of the additive manufacturing landscape. For investors, it provides the essential data points needed to identify burgeoning segments and evaluate potential returns. For manufacturers, it offers insights into process optimization, material advancements, and competitive advantages. For researchers and educators, it highlights areas ripe for further exploration and curriculum development. Its detailed analysis of market trajectories, technological breakthroughs, and socio-economic factors makes it an indispensable tool for anyone involved in or impacted by the ever-expanding world of 3D printing. If you wish to acquire this comprehensive report and leverage its insights for your strategic endeavors, the digital version is readily available for $750 HERE.

What are your thoughts on the groundbreaking trends and critical insights highlighted in the Wohlers Report 2023? We encourage you to share your perspectives and engage with our community by leaving a comment below or by connecting with us on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! For those who wish to stay at the forefront of additive manufacturing news, don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, ensuring the latest 3D printing developments are delivered straight to your inbox! You can also explore all our insightful videos and in-depth content on our YouTube channel.