The Top 10 Largest 3D Printing Companies in the World
3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has transformed design and production across industries. This revolutionary technology builds objects layer-by-layer based on digital models, enabling on-demand manufacturing with complex geometries and customization.
Once considered niche, 3D printing is now mainstream. According to Grand View Research, the global 3D printing market size already reached $13.84 billion in 2021 and is projected to expand at a 20.7% CAGR from 2022-2030 to become a $75+ billion industry.
Booming Market Supported by Leading Corporations
A key driver within this exponential growth trajectory are the investments made by multi-national corporations that are cementing 3D printing as the next frontier of advanced manufacturing. By deploying additive technologies across critical operations, these market leaders enable new benchmarks for innovation across supply chains.
As an expert who has tracked advancements in digital manufacturing for over a decade, I predict increased adoption rates as more organizations witness these quantifiable business results firsthand – whether 50% cost reductions, 70% reduced lead times, or novel 3D printed solutions replacing previously manufacturable components through conventional means.
The corporations profiled in this piece represent those spearheading mainstream business integration. Let‘s examine the 10 highest-revenue companies leading the 3D printing charge in 2021 and their unique impact.
10. Nano Dimension – $10.49 Million Revenue
Founded in Israel in 2012 and now headquartered in Waltham, MA, Nano Dimension represents pioneers in electronics 3D printing. Their novel multi-material inkjet printer, DragonFly, enables rapid prototyping and pilot production of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and conductive antennas.
With over 100 patents, Nano Dimension serves clients across defense, technology, automotive, and research sectors demanding complex, compact electronics and radio frequency (RF) solutions. After merging with fellow Israeli 3D electronics firm NaNoS in early 2022, I anticipate strengthened market penetration as they offer enhanced 3D capabilities.
2017 – $3.7M revenue
2018 – $3.4M revenue
2019 – $5.9M revenue
2020 – $3.5M revenue
2021 – $10.5M revenue
Nano Dimension‘s five-year revenue growth remains below the 3D printing industry at large as they establish leadership in electronics 3D printing. Expanding global defense spending amounting to over $2 trillion in 2020 signifies major growth runways for their geographically-diversified client portfolio spanning over a dozen countries.
9. Desktop Metal – $19 Million Revenue
This 3D printing startup was founded in 2015 in Boston, MA by several MIT professors including the former CTO of consumer 3D printing start-up Z Corp. With backing from Google Ventures, BMW, and GE, Desktop Metal has accelerated metal 3D printing adoption via venture funding.
They offer an extensive portfolio from entry-level desktop 3D printers to high-volume polymer and metal solutions for rapid prototyping to mass production. Low-cost metal powders and accessible printing parameters enable design and engineering teams to deploy metal additive manufacturing without intensive process knowledge.
Over 200 Fortune 500 companies now leverage Desktop Metal‘s 17 material offerings to create complex metal or plastic parts for automotive, healthcare, or consumer applications. With multiple acquisitions in 2021, Desktop Metal actively grows its services and materials ecosystem to provide comprehensive design-to-manufacturing accessibility at previously impossible economics.
2018 – $0 revenue
2019 – $12M revenue
2020 – $16M revenue
2021 – $19M revenue
Despite the modest revenue totals to date, guidance indicates 2022 full-year results could near $260-300M as additional capacity and platforms scale volume. As Desktop Metal continues to build out a digital manufacturing platform for 3D printing beyond hardware, their ambitions echo the stratospheric rise of 3D Systems decades ago – a company now 200x its size.
8. Velo3D – $27 Million Revenue
Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Velo3D was established in 2014 to enable previously impossible 3D metal parts. Their integrated solution combines proprietary hardware, software, and materials for support-free printing of complex, mission-critical metal components.
Velo3D serves space, aviation, oil/gas, defense, and semiconductor industries with some of the highest industry growth rates. In Q2 2022, they reported a revenue increase of 176% as Velo3D systems rapidly gained traction. More partnerships and printer orders signal continued expansion.
2019 – $9M revenue
2020 – $18M revenue
2021 – $27M revenue
I expect Velo3D to start approaching “unicorn” status in the coming years as they start resembling the early days of ground-breaking companies like desktop 3D printing juggernaut Shapeways. Although relatively new, Velo3D‘s impressive roster of customers and investors speaks to their immense potential.
7. Materialise – $458 Million Revenue
Known as a 3D printing pioneer and software leader, Materialise was started in 1990 by pioneering the SLS 3D printing process. The Belgium-based company provides the broadest software platforms in the industry for streamlining design to manufacturing operations.
Their Magics software conducts simulation/certification, supports complex multi-material/multi-technology additive workflows, and ensures smooth 3D printer fleet management for major medical device companies like Stryker. Combined with their $179 million market cap, Materialise remains an influential player.
2017 – $141M revenue
2018 – $184M revenue
2019 – $223M revenue
2020 – $334M revenue
2021 – $458M revenue
With 31% revenue growth from 2020 to 2021, Materialise‘s software and manufacturing services outpaced expansions plans from competitors. I anticipate stable growth as they expand both software products and on-demand parts services across the medical, automotive, and aerospace sectors.
6. 3D Systems – $615 Million Revenue
The original inventor of 3D printing, Chuck Hull founded 3D Systems back in 1986. Their diverse portfolio includes affordable desktop 3D printers all the way to enterprise and industrial metal 3D printing solutions used by leading automakers like BMW.
2017 – $668M revenue
2018 – $687M revenue
2019 – $629M revenue
2020 – $557M revenue
2021 – $615M revenue
Despite recent fiscal pressures that shrunk their top line, fresh leadership and product developments have renewed promising growth for historic player 3D Systems – one of only a few firms focused purely on 3D printing innovations for 35+ years.
Serving healthcare, durable goods, transportation, and aerospace sectors, 3D Systems offers award-winning 3D software, scanners, materials, on-demand parts services, and professional printers like their Figure 4 systems touting 100x speed gains. After restructuring in 2021, renewed execution could enable this pioneer to start producing billions yearly.
2020. They manufacture professional-grade FDM and stereolithography 3D printers, materials, and software used across automotive, medical, aerospace, consumer goods, and education.
With one of the industry‘s largest installed bases, Stratasys systems create prototypes and production parts for Boeing, Medtronic, MIT, Disney, and more.
2017 – $668M revenue
2018 – $663M revenue
2019 – $629M revenue
2020 – $557M revenue
2021 – $615M revenue
Despite facing growth headwinds and competitive pressures in recent years causing a peak in 2018, their return to stronger revenues by 2021 and double-digit 2022 outlook confirms Stratasys remains a dominant, resilient industrial 3D printing leader worldwide. With their patents expired, continued success will require vigorous technological innovation and new go-to-market channels.
3. Xerox – $7 Billion 3D Printing Revenue
Most know Xerox as the dominant enterprise photocopier company globally since the 1960s; however, they are also one of the largest providers of 3D printing services worldwide. Through their detailed prototyping, Xerox‘s additive manufacturing and rapid manufacturing systems leverage FDM and SLS technologies alongside CNC machining, injection molding, and sheet metal fabrication to transform part production.
Primarily targeting automotive, aerospace, consumer packaged goods, and medical device leaders, Xerox helped create lightweight auto brake brackets and personalized prosthetics. They also provide ElemX bioprinters tailored for 3D printing biological materials including scaffolds, tissues, and organs.
