Industrial Additive Manufacturing Sector Records Renewed Growth of 5.6% - AMPOWER Report 2026

Why It Matters

The rebound signals renewed capital spending on 3D‑printing technology, reshaping supply chains in defense, aerospace and consumer sectors and opening opportunities for mid‑range equipment providers.

Key Takeaways

• Industrial AM market grew 5.6% in 2025.
• Desktop polymer printers up over 30% growth.
• Lower‑cost machines drove equipment segment expansion.
• Top ten metal PBF firms hold 78.3% revenue.
• Defence, space, consumer sectors fuel metal AM demand.

Pulse Analysis

Additive manufacturing is transitioning from a niche capability to a core production strategy, and the latest AMPOWER data underscores that shift. The 5.6% growth in 2025 reflects heightened demand for part‑making across industries, but the most striking story is the desktop polymer segment, which now exceeds $10,800 in price and is being adopted for low‑volume, high‑precision industrial parts. Companies are aggregating these affordable units into "print farms," achieving economies of scale that rival traditional, single‑machine setups while preserving flexibility.

In the metal arena, the market’s consolidation continues, yet the ten largest powder‑bed‑fusion (PBF) players saw their collective share dip to 78.3%, indicating room for new entrants, especially from China, to capture niche applications. Defense and space programs remain the primary growth engines, leveraging metal AM to mitigate supply‑chain disruptions and accelerate the production of drones and next‑generation components. This sector’s 20%+ multi‑year growth rate highlights how strategic adopters are turning to additive processes for rapid prototyping and low‑volume production.

Looking ahead, the revised 13.5% annual growth forecast suggests a sustained upward trajectory, despite a weak U.S. dollar and lingering customs uncertainties that modestly dampened 2025 performance. Investors and manufacturers should monitor the expanding desktop ecosystem, the evolving competitive landscape among metal PBF suppliers, and the geopolitical factors influencing cross‑border equipment purchases. Companies that can integrate affordable desktop printers with larger‑scale print farms are poised to capture a growing slice of the industrial AM market, while firms that adapt to the influx of Chinese metal‑printing players will safeguard their market share in a rapidly diversifying industry.