China Promotes Awareness, Encourages Usage And Spurs Hope For 3D Printing

According to IDC, 3D printer shipments in the China market more than doubled over 2015, largely driven by sales of desktop 3D printers of $5,000 USD or less, a DigiTimes article stated. The firm anticipates shipments reached 77,000 units last year, up from 34,000 units in 2014.

Moreover, analysts believe that the desktop 3D printer market will continue to exhibit such a growth trend over the next few years, as the Chinese government continues to promote 3D printer awareness and usage within educational institutions.

Upward Trends Expected To Continue

Wendy Mok, research manager for IDPS at IDC China stated that the local 3D printer market in China will also more than double in 2016, surpassing the U.S. market by the end of the year. “However, the US is expected to retain its position as the market leader in terms of market revenues, due to the greater proportion of high-end printers adopted by the manufacturing sector,” she added.

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In fact, it should be noted that, while desktop 3D printer shipments account for more than 90 percent of the 3D printer market in China, professional 3D printers contribute 78 percent of total revenues. “As a result, market revenues from desktop 3D printers in China are lagging due to the distinct revenue gap. Aided by the China government's initiatives to promote 3D printer awareness and training within the education segment, IDC expects the China 3D printer market to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 43 percent with total shipments to reach 440,000 units by 2020,” according to DigiTimes.

Disclosure: Javier Hasse holds no positions in any of the securities mentioned above.

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