National Bureau of Statistics Commends 43.1% Growth in 3D Printing Equipment — China’s Economy Shows Resilience and Steady Progress in H1 2025

On July 15, 2025, Panda3dp.com reported that the National Bureau of Statistics released its H1 economic report titled “China’s Economy Shows Resilience and Steady Progress Amid Challenges.” In the section “Rapid Growth in Industrial Production, Strong Momentum in Equipment and High-Tech Manufacturing,” 3D printing equipment received special mention:

“By product category, output of 3D printing equipment, new energy vehicles, and industrial robots increased by 43.1%, 36.2%, and 35.6% year-on-year, respectively.”

Key Insight:
The surge in 3D printing equipment production is driven primarily by consumer-grade FDM/LCD printers, typically priced at a few thousand yuan per unit. Most are exported overseas, though domestic demand is also booming. China's 3D printer output is expected to reach 7 million units this year.

The Bureau’s direct acknowledgment of 3D printing—alongside NEVs and robotics—highlights the state’s growing recognition and support for this industry.

3D Printing: A Frequent Feature in Official Reports
Panda3dp.com reviewed past data and found that 3D printing equipment has frequently appeared in official growth reports—mentioned over 10 times in recent years. Notable figures include:

· April 2025: +60.7% YoY

· Q1 2025: +44.9%

· Jan–Feb 2025: +30.2%

· July 2024: +25.3%

· H1 2024: +51.6%

· May 2024: +36.3%

· Q1 2024: +40.6%

· Jan–Feb 2024: +49.5%

· Full Year 2023: 2.789 million units, +36.2%

· April 2020: +344.7%

· March 2020: +112.8%

Mainstream Media Spotlight
Consumer-grade 3D printing has also attracted major media attention recently:

· “China's 3D Printer Output Soars, May Hit 7 Million Units in 2025” – Xinhua & Shanghai Securities News

· “3D Print Farms Boom, Attract National Headlines”

· “CCTV Reports: Print Farm Earns Millions, Operates 4,000 Printers, U.S. Orders Return as Tariffs Drop”

Panda3dp.com Commentary
Since 2025, China’s 3D printer output has grown dramatically—from 5 million units in 2024 to a projected 7 million this year. Over 90% are affordable consumer-grade FDM models, primarily for export. Industrial-grade machines—like metal printers costing hundreds of thousands or even millions—have also grown, though in the thousands, not millions.

Notably, four of the world’s top five consumer 3D printer manufacturers by volume are based in Shenzhen.

Why Shenzhen?

· Complete hardware supply chain

· Same-day component delivery

· Fast product iteration at low cost

· Execution-oriented culture from founders to staff

· Customer-driven product feedback loop

· Well-established ecosystem for logistics, cross-border e-commerce, warehousing, and payments

As a result, Shenzhen has become the global hub for consumer 3D printing.

Fierce Competition Across the Board
From consumer to industrial sectors, competition is intense—not only on price but also on technical performance. For instance, titanium alloy powders once priced at ¥700–800/kg now sell for just over ¥200/kg.

China’s FDM, LCD, SLA, and SLM products have gained strong international competitiveness. Overseas companies have noticed: while Chinese manufacturers iterate two to three times a year, others manage only one upgrade every two to three years. Overseas expansion has become a consensus in the Chinese 3D printing industry, with nearly all companies exceeding ¥100M in annual revenue expanding globally.

Explosion of 3D Printing “Players” and Demand
The consumer 3D printing boom in 2025 stems from a massive influx of new users and application scenarios—especially in areas like toys. Previously the domain of tech-savvy makers, 3D printing has now entered the mainstream, with individuals and enterprises alike embracing the technology. Users are increasingly purchasing multiple machines.

In 2024, “3D print farms” exploded across China, with hundreds or even thousands of farms operating dozens to thousands of printers each. Popular products like articulated dinosaurs, dragon eggs, and snake toys reached mass production. Many of these products—shipped through online stores, street vendors, and cross-border platforms—have reached millions worldwide, drastically increasing public awareness and education about 3D printing.

AI + 3D Models = Creative Surge
AI-powered 3D modeling tools have significantly lowered design barriers. As a result, vast numbers of fun and engaging models have emerged online, fueling even more demand for printing.

3D Printing Meets Global Manufacturing Challenges
As global trade faces rising tariffs and geopolitical uncertainties, 3D printing offers a resilient, hyper-local manufacturing solution. In crises, localized rapid production becomes a real possibility.

By the Numbers
In 2024, China shipped ~5 million 3D printers, accounting for 90% of global volume. Within 2–3 years, this could rise to 10 million units—a monumental industry milestone.

From Toys to Rockets: Explosive Applications
Applications are scaling fast:

· Toys: Hundreds of millions printed annually

· Metal 3D printing for electronics (phones, watches): Tens of millions of parts per year

· Aerospace: Essential for rockets, satellites, and other space hardware

· Footwear: Sports brands increasingly embrace 3D printing for stylish, breathable shoes—already shipping hundreds of thousands to over a million pairs

The Future: From Equipment to Application-Driven Growth
China now boasts over 1,000 3D printing companies. The booming market has attracted giants like BYD, Han’s Laser, Luxshare Precision, and Zhongshan Precision.

The industry is shifting from a hardware- and materials-centered market worth hundreds of billions (RMB) to one focused on applications, with trillion-yuan potential. The downstream ecosystem promises even broader horizons.