Revenues Soar as Shipments Dip In Global 3D Printer Landscape

According to a study by CONTEXT, revolutionary shifts and fierce competition have set the stage for the global 3D printer industry as it experienced a mixed bag of results in their latest quarter analysis. While the allure of billion-dollar mergers captured the headlines, the sector faced a complex landscape of inflation, shifting demands, and fluctuating unit sales. From the rise of high-end metal systems to the resilience of polymer machines, the industry’s path forward seemingly is marked by uncertainty and untapped potential.

While in the study it was highlighted industrial 3D printer revenues benefited from inflation and demand for high-end systems, unit sales experienced a decline worldwide. According to market intelligence firm CONTEXT, various companies vied to create the first $1 billion+ 3D printing company during this period. Stratasys, 3D Systems, and Desktop Metal made headlines, with the competition to merge or be acquired by Stratasys taking center stage.

What Are the Trends Globally in 3D Printing?

In terms of global shipments, there were contrasting trends observed among different categories of 3D printers in the first quarter of 2023. While Industrial and Professional printer categories faced a year-on-year decline of 15% and 30% respectively, the Midrange, Personal, and Kit&Hobby categories showed growth with shipment increases of 18%, 34%, and 29% respectively. Despite these variations, the overall system revenues exhibited a positive growth of 15% compared to the previous year.