Multidimensional Insights and Industry Shift of the Global 3D Printing Sector: Reflections from Interviews with Hundreds of Exhibitors at Formnext 2024, Germany

Panda3dp.com guide:At the globally renowned 3D printing event, Formnext 2024 in Germany, Panda3dp.com, as a key professional Chinese media partner, conducted interviews with hundreds of exhibitors. These interviews were shared on the Panda3dp.com 3D Printing video platform, attracting the attention of over 100,000 viewers.  

△ Scan the code to watch the exhibition and interview videos on Antarctica Bear's video channel.

After four intense days of 8-hour interviews and live broadcasts, Antarctica Bear has numerous thoughts and reflections on this year’s exhibition:

I. The Rise of Chinese Power: “Going Global” Becomes the New Industry Wave

Out of more than 860 exhibitors, over 100 were from China, ranking second only to Germany and overtaking the U.S. Chinese exhibitors commanded significant presence, with many companies investing between 1 to 2 million CNY for exhibition fees, booth construction, travel, and logistics. This underscores the intensifying domestic market competition and dwindling profit margins, which have collectively spurred Chinese companies to seek growth on the global stage. As a result, the once-pioneering idea of "going global" has become an industry-wide consensus, with Chinese 3D printing enterprises stepping boldly onto the international stage to showcase their capabilities and reshape the global landscape.  

II. Shifting Dynamics Among Western Firms: Complex Sentiments and Emerging Tensions  

Western companies display mixed sentiments toward their Chinese counterparts. The rapid iteration of Chinese products—coupled with competitive pricing, technological advancements, and improved quality—has upended the status quo, placing immense pressure on established Western players. The disruption of the traditional market order has subtly shifted the balance of power, with Chinese manufacturers poised to occupy a larger share of the global 3D printing market in the near future.  

III. Exhibition Effectiveness: Chinese Exhibitors See Tangible Results  

Many Chinese exhibitors reported positive feedback from the event, with frequent, high-quality business interactions taking place. As the premier exhibition in the industry, Formnext effectively attracts global demand, providing a high-value platform for Chinese 3D printing companies to access international markets.  

IV. Decline of U.S. Presence: A Stark Contrast to Previous Years

Compared to past exhibitions, the U.S. presence at Formnext saw a marked decline in exhibitor numbers and booth sizes. Although the U.S. remains the world's largest 3D printing market, the collapse of share prices for publicly listed U.S. 3D printing companies and the delisting, acquisitions, or closures of prominent industry players have left a visible impact. Once-expansive booths have been replaced by smaller, more modest displays—or none at all—reflecting the dual pressures of capital constraints and market headwinds faced by the U.S. 3D printing industry.  

V. Traditional Giants Struggle: The Challenges of Industrial Crossover

Traditional mechanical industry giants, initially buoyed by their robust technical and financial foundations, made bold forays into 3D printing. However, the journey has been fraught with obstacles. Unlike conventional manufacturing, additive manufacturing presents unique challenges. As a result, the participation of these giants at Formnext 2024 was notably reduced, underscoring the difficulty of cross-sector transformation.  

VI. The Rise of New Asian Forces: Spotlight on Japan, Korea, and India

Emerging players from Japan, Korea, and India made notable appearances at this year's exhibition. Japanese industrial giants like Nikon and Sinto expanded their presence through acquisitions of German metal 3D printer SLM and French ceramic 3D printer 3DCeram, respectively. Korean firms maintained a relatively small exhibitor presence, but Korean visitors were present in large numbers. Meanwhile, India showcased a growing number of exhibitors specializing in metal equipment and materials. The growing influence of Asian forces is injecting fresh energy into the global 3D printing ecosystem.  

VII. Heated Competition in the Pellet-Based FGF Market

Pellet-based fused granulate fabrication (FGF) 3D printing has become a competitive frontier in Europe. Numerous exhibitors featured large-format gantry systems and robotic arm setups capable of printing furniture, architectural models, reception desks, molds, and more. The fierce competition highlights the growing importance of this sector in the European market.  

VIII. The Desktop Market: Western Firms Hold Their Ground

Despite competition from Chinese giants like CREALITY, ANYCUBIC, and PRUSA, European and American firms remain active in the desktop FDM and LCD 3D printing sectors. Many Western exhibitors displayed larger-format FDM printers (over 500mm) with models commanding significantly higher prices than Chinese consumer-grade alternatives. The crowd interest in this segment remains strong.  

IX. Metal 3D Printing: A Shift in Focus to High-Precision Parts

Metal 3D printing exhibitors showcased large booths, but unlike past years, the emphasis shifted from hardware displays to the exhibition of high-precision metal components. This shift reflects an industry-wide transition from hardware competition to the practical application of 3D-printed parts.  

X. Chinese Firms Lead in Metal Printing Capabilities

Chinese firms are at the forefront of metal 3D printing, boasting advanced multi-laser setups. Companies like Eplus3D, BLT, Farsoon, Hanbang Technology, AVIMETAL AM，AmPRO Innovations, and Kings 3D Printing stand out with configurations featuring over 60 lasers—far exceeding the 10-laser norm in overseas counterparts. This technological edge underscores China's growing leadership in the metal 3D printing space.  

XI. Sand Casting 3D Printing: A Niche in Decline

Sand casting 3D printing had a minimal presence at the exhibition, reflecting the broader downturn in Europe's foundry industry. Rising energy costs and declining industrial activity in Europe have affected the demand for sand casting, further underscoring the interconnectedness of 3D printing with traditional manufacturing sectors.  

XII. Innovation Slows as Funding Tightens

Few exhibitors showcased groundbreaking technologies, with most focusing on iterative improvements and commercial applications. As the industry matures, the emphasis has shifted from conceptual hype to the practical deployment of 3D printing. Moreover, limited venture capital investment has hindered startups from showcasing disruptive technologies.  

XIII. Military and Defense: The Backbone of Industrial Orders

Military and defense applications remain a pillar of demand for industrial 3D printing, particularly in the realm of metal printing. The production of high-precision, customized military components underscores the critical role 3D printing plays in modern defense strategies.  

XIV. European Superiority in Large-Format Photopolymerization

Europe maintains a stronghold in large-format photopolymerization 3D printing, with systems capable of printing parts over 1 meter in size. These systems achieve near-injection-molded surface smoothness without post-processing, maintaining Europe’s technological edge in high-end applications.  

XV. Diverging Paths in Automated 3D Printing Farms

Western firms like PRUSA emphasize small-scale, fully automated 3D printing farms (housing 20-30 units) with minimal human intervention. By contrast, China focuses on large-scale farms with hundreds or thousands of machines, leveraging human oversight to achieve cost and production advantages.

XVI. The Rise of Service Agents and Outsourcing Demand

There was a notable increase in 3D printing service providers and agency booths. European distributors are scaling up operations, with some exhibitors showcasing nearly a dozen brands in a single booth. This growth signifies the surge in demand for outsourced 3D printing solutions.  

XVII. Global Influence of Panda3dp.com: Media Power Goes International

Panda3dp.com’s growing international influence was on full display, as many Western exhibitors recognized its logo and praised its role in providing timely industry insights. This recognition highlights Panda3dp.com’s role as a vital information bridge between China's booming 3D printing industry and the global market.  

XVIII. Hot Technology Tracks of the Year

1. Multi-Material Metal Printing: Manufacturers showcased the ability to print with two or more metals, enhancing the functionality of a single component.

2. FDM Multicolor Printing: Multicolor FDM has become a standard offering at many booths.  

3. Photopolymerization of Metal and Ceramics: Exhibitors displayed high-precision metal and ceramic parts, particularly for medical applications.

4. Directed Energy Deposition (DED): DED metal printing, utilizing laser, electron beam, and arc energy sources, surged in prominence. Brake disc surface treatment became a standout application, driven by new EU regulations.  

Conclusion  

Marking its 10th anniversary, Formnext 2024 exemplified the flourishing diversity of the global 3D printing ecosystem. This year saw expanded participation from Chinese companies, greater emphasis on applications, and new technological frontiers. As China’s influence grows, the global 3D printing landscape is poised for further transformation.