3D PRINTING IN HEALTHCARE MARKET ANALYSIS

The global 3D printing in healthcare market was valued at US$ 1.87 Bn in 2022 and is forecast to reach a value of US$ 7.47 Bn by 2030 at a CAGR of 19.0% between 2023 and 2030. The adoption of 3D printing technology in medical & surgical centers, pharmaceutical & biotechnological companies, and academic institutions has increased, and is expected to further augment in the near future. Advances in 3D printing technology has led to more efficient processes, which further lead to availability of more affordable end products for the consumer. Thus, presence of large consumer base is expected to drive the market growth during the forecast period.

Global 3D Printing in Healthcare Market: Regional Insights

Based on geography, the global 3D printing in healthcare market is segmented into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa.

Among regions, widespread adoption of 3D printing technology in medical centers & dental clinics is boosting the growth of the 3D printing healthcare market in North America. In addition, several factors such as FDA approvals for 3D- printed medical devices, and increase in demand for 3D-printed medical devices are anticipated to drive the market growth. Developing economical 3D-printed solutions and providing well-defined regulatory & reimbursement policies are further anticipated to augment the growth of the North America market during the forecast period 

Europe holds the second largest market share of the global 3D printing healthcare due to extensive research and development activities in the 3D printing technologies on the academic & industrial level for healthcare applications and presence of leading companies in this region. A majority of European companies are collaborating with other companies with a view to accelerate the process of R&D and product development. For instance, Materialise NV's daughter company, Mobelife entered into collaboration with JRI Orthopedics to aid the expansion of Mobelife’s aMace Acetabular Revision System business in the UK and Ireland. In addition, 3D Systems established a new Advanced Additive Manufacturing Center in Pinerolo, Italy.

Figure 1. Global 3D Printing in Healthcare Market Share (%), By Region, 2023

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Global 3D Printing in Healthcare Market Drivers:

Increase in biomedical applications is expected to propel the market growth

3D printing technology has several applications in the healthcare sector. In addition to printing prosthetics, dental implants, and hearing aids, this technology is used for printing various organs, which can be implanted in the body. Several companies have focused on printing and commercializing organs such as livers and thyroid glands, which are being used in pre-clinical drug testing. In addition, 3D printing technology is used in stem cell biology and biomedical engineering, thus leveraging the scope of its biomedical application. Furthermore, extensive research is being carried out to improve the efficacy of drugs using 3D printing technology. Novel healthcare applications of 3D printing have surfaced due to extensive research and development activities being conducted at both industrial and academic levels. This in turn is expected to drive the growth of the 3D printing healthcare market during the forecast period.

For instance, March 22, 2023, Hovione and Laxxon Medical entered into a strategic collaboration to advance the use of 3D screen printing technologies for the pharmaceutical industry. The partnership combines Laxxon´s expertise in 3D screen printing, based on their SPID-Technology, with Hovione’s product and process development, engineering and manufacturing expertise in pharmaceutical applications.

Global 3D Printing in Healthcare Market Opportunities:

The 3D printing technology is now being used to bioprint bones, ears, exoskeletons, windpipes, jaw bones, eyeglasses, cell cultures, stem cells, blood vessels, vascular networks, tissues, and organs. This technology is in its nascent stage, and is not available for commercialization due to various factors. However, these applications are expected to gain momentum and lead to increased adoption of 3D printers in the near future.

In addition, the time and cost required to produce artificial body organs is anticipated to decrease, thereby offering remunerative opportunities for market expansion.

For instance, in August 2022, Precise Bio, a regenerative medicine startup and Carl Zeiss Meditec (ZEISS), a medical technology company, have begun a partnership for the purposes of developing and commercializing 3D bioprinted corneal tissue for use in cornea implants. The resulting implants would then be used in transplants to treat corneal diseases and vision correction. This new partnership builds on the two companies’ previous collaboration in 2020, when they worked together to develop lens implants for the corneal disease keratoconus, in which thinning tissues cause a person’s cornea to bulge into a cone shape, causing blurred vision and even sensitivity to light and glare. Precise Bio and ZEISS are continuing their work after achieving successful preclinical trials on their previous lens implants.

Global 3D Printing in Healthcare Market Trends:

Presence of large patient pool

Majority of the individuals suffer from organ failure, amputation, and sever injuries, owing to increase in prevalence of diseases, accidents, and congenital defects. In 2018, approximately 114,000 patients in the U.S. were on the waiting list for organ transplantation. In addition, rapid rise in geriatric population suffering from bone and joint problems boosts the growth of the market. Furthermore, almost 12.35 million amputees are estimated to be present across the globe. This has significantly fuelled the growth of the market, as 3D printers are used for printing body parts, which has led to increase in customer base. Moreover, population suffering from auditory disorder and dental problems has increased at alarming rate, which acts as a key driver of the global market. This is attributed to the fact that 3D printing in dentistry is used to generate a 3D model of teeth.

Global 3D Printing in Healthcare Market Restraints:

High cost associated with 3D printing is responsible to hinder market growth

As 3D printing is an evolving market, the cost associated with 3D printer is considerably high. These printers require high capital investments for initial setup and maintenance. In addition, the costs of these instruments vary depending on the size and technology used. Moreover, the software required to run 3D printers is expensive. In addition, the software needs to be updated periodically to keep it efficient and effective. Furthermore, the materials used in 3D printing for healthcare applications should be biocompatible and possess sufficient mechanical strength, as they require pre-printing processing.

High cost associated with 3D printers has posed as a major threat to the global 3D printing healthcare market. Moreover, the price of 3D printers is expected to reduce during the forecast period, owing to increase in their adoption for various applications. Thus, the impact of this restraint is anticipated to reduce in the near future.

Increase in reimbursement challenges is reason to hamper the market growth

The healthcare applications of 3D printing technology are emerging in the market. Over 100 medical devices manufactured on the 3D printer have received FDA clearance for use. Although FDA-cleared 3D-printed joint implant or bone fixator may be reimbursed, 3D models of a patient's anatomy and professional fees often are not. Hence, 3D-printed medical devices and implants are sparingly used by surgeons, owing to lack of favourable reimbursement policies.

The implementation of reimbursement policies is anticipated to increase the adoption of medical 3D-printed medical devices or implants during the forecast period, thus driving the market growth.

Figure 2. Global 3D Printing in Healthcare Market Share (%), by Application, 2023

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Global 3D Printing in Healthcare Market Segmentation:

The global 3D printing in healthcare market report is segmented into Product, Application, End User, and Region.

Based on Product, the market is segmented into System/Devices, Materials, and Services. Out of which, System/Devices Segment is expected to dominate the 3D printing in healthcare market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the increasing launch of new products.

Based on Technology, the market is segmented into Droplet Deposition (DD), Photopolymerization, Laser Beam Melting, Electronic Beam Melting (EBM), and Laminated Object Manufacturing. Out of which, Electronic Beam Melting (EBM) is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period and this is attributed to the increasing launch of Electronic Beam Melting (EBM) technology for 3D printer.

Based on Application, the market is segmented into External Wearable Devices, Clinical Study Devices, Implants, and Tissue Engineering. Out of which, Tissue Engineering is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period and due to the launch of tissue engineering products to create collagen fibers at commercial scales.

Based on End User, the market is segmented into Medical & Surgical Centers, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies, and Academic Institutions. Out of which, Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period and is attributed to the rise in research activity by the pharmaceutical and biotechnology company.

Global 3D Printing in Healthcare Market: Key Developments

On July 24, 2023, Desktop Health, a trusted production-grade medical 3D printing brand of Desktop Metal, Inc., announced a breakthrough in bioprinting with the launch of PrintRoll, an innovative rotating build platform that can produce intelligent tubular solutions for the body’s vascular, digestive, respiratory, and reproductive channels on the 3D-Bioplotter premier bioprinting system

On June 13, 2023, Mighty Oak Medical, a Colorado-based med-tech company announced a partnership with HP. This partnership will see Mighty Oak Medical using HPs Jet Fusion 5200 3D printers to develop 3D printed healthcare applications

Global 3D Printing in Healthcare Market: Key Companies Insights

The global 3D printing in healthcare market is highly competitive. This is attributed to the rise demand for 3D printing technology in healthcare as this is the new way to tackle with the challenges like shortage of devices, or incompatibility, as a result, players in the market are focusing on launching novel devices in the market.

Some of the key players in the global 3D printing in healthcare market are 3D Systems Corporation, Exone Company, Formlabs Inc., General Electric (GE Additive), Materialise NV, Organovo Holdings, Inc., Oxford Performance Materials Inc., Proto Labs, Inc., Stratasys Ltd., SLM Solutions Group AG, and among others.

*Definition: 3D printing is an additive process whereby layers of material are built up to create a 3D part. This is the opposite of subtractive manufacturing processes, where a final design is cut from a larger block of material. As a result, 3D printing creates less material wastage.