en.Wedoany.com Reported - 3D printing (additive manufacturing), as a strategic emerging industry in the field of intelligent manufacturing, has moved from technological reserves into a new stage of large-scale and industrialized development in China. Leveraging its core advantages of digital-driven processes, layer-by-layer deposition, material diversity, and high customization, this technology is rapidly penetrating sectors such as high-end manufacturing, healthcare, new energy, and aerospace.
3D printing, scientifically known as additive manufacturing, is a manufacturing technology that constructs solid objects by sequentially depositing materials (such as plastics, metals, resins, ceramics, etc.) based on three-dimensional digital model data. Its core characteristics include digital-driven processes, layer-by-layer deposition, material diversity, and high customization.
China places great emphasis on the development of the 3D printing (additive manufacturing) industry, listing it as a key development area. It supports technological R&D and industrialization through special funds, tax incentives, and the construction of industrial clusters.
According to a report released by China Business Industry Research Institute, the global 3D printing market has begun to take shape. In 2024, the global 3D printing market size reached $21.9 billion, a year-on-year increase of 9.31%. It grew to $24.2 billion in 2025, a year-on-year increase of 10.9%, and is expected to reach $26.4 billion in 2026.
The growth in the Chinese market is even more significant. In 2024, the market size of China's 3D printing industry reached 53 billion yuan, rapidly increasing to 70 billion yuan in 2025, a year-on-year increase of approximately 30%. It is predicted to reach 86.2 billion yuan in 2026.
In terms of equipment production, the output of 3D printing equipment in China continues to expand. In 2025, the output of 3D printing equipment in China reached 5.211 million units, a year-on-year increase of 52.5%. It is predicted to increase to 6.856 million units in 2026.
Export scale also hit a new high. In 2025, China's 3D printer export volume reached 5.026 million units, exceeding 5 million units for the first time, a historical high, with a year-on-year increase of 33%. The export value reached 11.355 billion yuan, surpassing the 10 billion mark for the first time, a year-on-year increase of 39.1%. It is predicted that in 2026, the export volume will reach 6.379 million units, with an export value of 14.36 billion yuan.
China's 3D printing industry has formed a regional competition pattern characterized by "multi-polar linkage and distinctive features." The first tier consists of the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta regions, which have a full industry chain layout, dual-driven by technological innovation and market application, and a high degree of internationalization. The second tier is the Bohai Rim region, with strong R&D capabilities, driven by high-end applications such as aerospace and military industry. The third tier is the central and western regions, which have risen rapidly relying on their industrial base and policy support, forming distinctive advantages in specific fields.
Key enterprises in the industry show varying performance. Founded in 2011, Bright Laser Technologies (BLT) is a leading domestic full-industry-chain company for industrial-grade metal 3D printing and the first 3D printing stock on the STAR Market. Its technology relies on the State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing at Northwestern Polytechnical University. It is the only domestic company to achieve a fully independent closed loop covering equipment, metal powder, printing processing, self-developed software, and process services. Its core processes cover three major metal additive routes: SLM powder bed fusion, DED laser cladding, and WAAM arc additive manufacturing. In the first quarter of 2026, BLT's operating revenue reached 326 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 43.57%; net profit attributable to the parent company was 16.7758 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 212.21%. In 2025, BLT's revenue from customized 3D printing products was 1.052 billion yuan, accounting for 56.83%; revenue from 3D printing equipment and accessories was 686 million yuan, accounting for 37.05%; and revenue from 3D printing raw materials was 113 million yuan, accounting for 6.12%.
Founded in 2009 and listed on the STAR Market in 2023, Farsoon Technologies is the only leading domestic company to achieve mass production on both the metal SLM and polymer SLS industrial powder bed fusion 3D printing routes. It focuses on a complete industrial chain of self-developed equipment, supporting materials, proprietary software, and process services. In the first quarter of 2026, Farsoon Technologies achieved operating revenue of 130 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 2.84% from 126 million yuan in the same period last year. The net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company was a loss of 3.6435 million yuan, compared to a profit of 1.4101 million yuan in the same period last year. In 2025, Farsoon Technologies' revenue from 3D printing equipment was 553.8 million yuan, accounting for 77.41%; revenue from 3D printing services was 83.89 million yuan, accounting for 11.73%; and revenue from 3D printing raw materials was 60.32 million yuan, accounting for 8.43%.
Shining 3D positions itself as a provider of integrated high-precision 3D digitization and 3D printing solutions, connecting the complete industrial chain of "3D scanning—intelligent design software—3D printing equipment—specialized consumables—cloud manufacturing services." Its business is divided into three segments: dental 3D printing, industrial 3D printing, and consumer customized 3D printing. In the first quarter of 2026, Shining 3D achieved operating revenue of 456 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 50.98%; net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company was 130 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 118.91%. Shining 3D's business is primarily focused on 3D scanners. In 2025, revenue from 3D scanners was 1.352 billion yuan, accounting for 85.87%.
Creality 3D is a representative enterprise in the consumer-grade 3D printing field and a national-level key "Little Giant" company specializing in new technologies. Headquartered in Shenzhen, it has production bases covering over 260,000 square meters in Wuhan and Huizhou, with products exported to more than 140 countries and regions. Creality 3D's revenue in 2025 was 3.127 billion yuan, with a loss of 183 million yuan for the period. While revenue increased, profits declined.
Founded in 2000, UnionTech is one of the global leaders in industrial-grade 3D printing and holds a significant market share in the domestic stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing field. From 2023 to 2025, UnionTech achieved operating revenues of 515 million yuan, 521 million yuan, and 563 million yuan, respectively. However, net profits during the same period continued to show losses, amounting to 29 million yuan, 85 million yuan, and 31 million yuan, respectively.
From a technological trend perspective, the pace of self-sufficiency in the domestic 3D printing industry chain continues to accelerate. Core components such as lasers, galvanometers, and scanning systems are achieving large-scale domestic substitution. The preparation processes for metal powders and polymer consumables are undergoing iterative upgrades, and the prices of titanium alloy and stainless steel printing powders have dropped significantly. Processes such as high-speed printing, multi-material composite molding, and AI intelligent slicing continue to break through, greatly improving printing efficiency. The prices of consumer-grade equipment have dropped to the thousand-yuan range.
At the policy level, 3D printing (additive manufacturing) has long been included in the national top-level planning for intelligent manufacturing and strategic emerging industries. "Made in China 2025," the 14th Five-Year Plan for Intelligent Manufacturing, and the 15th Five-Year Industrial Development Outline all list it as a key breakthrough direction. To date, more than 21 provinces across the country have included 3D printing in their local key industry lists, supporting it with diverse policies such as R&D subsidies, industrial park establishment support, and tax incentives, forming a complete policy system with central top-level coordination and local supporting implementation.
In terms of application scenarios, 3D printing has penetrated from single prototype trial production to core mass production links in multiple industries. In the high-end manufacturing sector, it is used for integrated printing of engine blades and lightweight rocket structural components. In the medical field, it achieves large-scale clinical application of dental implants, orthopedic implants, and surgical guides. Automotive Industry" target="_blank">New energy vehicles, consumer electronics, and the mold industry extensively use it for producing fixtures, jigs, and lightweight components. Additionally, emerging scenarios in culture and education, robotics, construction, military, and marine equipment are also rapidly being implemented.
