Results From 3D Printing Sentiment Index Show Global Growth Despite Pandemic

Every year, Ultimaker conducts a global study analyzing the use of additive manufacturing and its adoption, as well as awareness and understanding of the industry and the challenges faced by users of the company’s 3D printers. The 3D Printing Sentiment Index gives a score to each participating country according to its degree of maturity in the realm of additive manufacturing. This year, the top three leaders in 3D printing according to the results are the United States followed by the United Kingdom and Germany. The survey was conducted by Savanta at the end of 2020 and drew from 2,525 professionals from 12 countries. Globally, there was greater adoption of additive manufacturing in 2020 compared to 2019. Additionally, overall more respondents stated that they had more skills in the field, proof that users are training and seeking to go further.

How is 3D printing used around the world? How is it perceived by companies? What are the benefits for them? That’s the objective of Ultimaker’s The 3D Printing Sentiment Index study. In 2020, the manufacturer notes that the health crisis has pushed companies, entrepreneurs and makers to use 3D technologies to create unexpected parts and components. We all remember the cases of users using 3D printing to help healthcare workers during throughout the COVID-19 crisis, such as with the adapter for the Decathlon diving mask that allowed it to be transformed into a respirator.

Photo Credits: Ultimaker

3D Printing Globally

What is perhaps most interesting is the results on awareness of 3D printing. Globally, awareness of 3D printing increased to 71%, with this much higher in certain countries. China, for example, actually had the highest awareness of 3D printing out of all the countries, 84% of respondents, this is in contrast to the United States with 76%, 73% in the UK, and 30% in Australia. Adoption of 3D printing has also increased, 4% from the previous year up to 29%. This implementation of 3D printing is highest in the U.S., U.K. Germany and France.