Jun 20, 2017   SOURCE: BusinessWire

Worldwide 3D Printer Shipments Up Again in 2016, According to IDC

The IDC Worldwide 3D Printer Shipment Tracker found that 3D printer shipments increased 29% in 2016 while revenue grew by more than 18% year over year in 2016.

"The 3D printing market surge continues on a worldwide basis with more technology and materials options, which are driving more investment in 3D printers and greater utilization of the equipment that has been installed" said Tim Greene, research director, Hardcopy Solutions at IDC. "We're seeing exciting growth in some of the key technology segments, with FFF/FDM, SLA, and Powder-bed Fusion all growing at double-digit rates year over year," Greene continued.

Technology Segment Highlights

The fastest-growing technology segments were FFF/FDM and Stereolithography, which each grew shipments by nearly 30% in 2016 vs. 2015.

On the revenue side, powder-bed fusion-based 3D printers grew by nearly 40% from 2015 to 2016.

Regional Highlights

The strongest growth in 3D printer shipments came from the Asia/Pacific region (excluding Japan), Central & Eastern Europe, and the Middle East & Africa.

Shipments in Asia/Pacific surged in 2016 making it the largest 3D printer region in the world in 2016.

3D printer shipments in North America recovered nicely in the second half of 2016, but were still down for the year.

Vendor Highlights

Chinese manufacturers like Flashforge, XYZ Printing, and Tiertime selling low-end FFF/FDM printers make up more than 30% of shipments but less than 5% of worldwide hardware revenue.

Stratasys and 3D Systems make up just over 6% of worldwide shipments, but over 30% of total hardware revenue in 2016.

Notes:

IDC tracks 3D printing commercial devices based on core technologies as defined by the ASTM

Devices tracked include products with product names, not all systems built using additive manufacturing processes

There is an interactive graphic showing the worldwide 3D Printer shipments available here. Instructions on how to embed this graphic into online news articles and social media can be found by viewing this press release on IDC.com.

About IDC Trackers

IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC's Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly excel deliverables and on-line query tools.

About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading media, data and marketing services company that activates and engages the most influential technology buyers. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDC and LinkedIn.

All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.