The market for additive manufacturing is clearly showing its potential, as new trends have emerged in recent years. We can always expect new developments, trends and opportunities in additive manufacturing technology. CECIMO (the European Association of Machine Tool Industries & Related Manufacturing Technologies) conducted a survey about the most significant trends in additive manufacturing within Europe this year. This survey is six months long and aims to help the industries identify major business opportunities. It will assess companies that work in the additive sector. CECIMO is collaborating with VDMA, Germany’s Engineering Federation, to get as much data possible.
The report on European trends is split into two parts. First, it presents the combined results of the CECIMO survey and the VDMA survey. The former questions about what the sector is expected to develop, and the latter about how it actually developed. The second part shows data only from those countries who have completed the CECIMO survey. The two parts discuss topics like trends, but also show data from countries that use the CECIMO survey. They include information about investments, statistics on machinery and materials, exports and customers from various industries, such automotive or aerospace.
Comparatively to spring 2022’s survey, domestic market expectations have increased (Image: CECIMO).
The AM Sector in Europe is experiencing exciting developments
CECIMO differentiates the trends between the foreign and domestic markets. If we look at the respective domestic market, according to the survey carried out, it is noticeable that a slight increase in the market growth of the domestic market is expected by around 50% of the respondents, whereas just 6% of respondents expect a decline – this has also decreased compared to the last survey carried out. The outlook for the domestic market’s growth has become more optimistic. Similarly, if we look at the foreign market according to the survey, this year’s results show that especially in contrast to the last survey conducted, respondents have a more positive outlook on the growth of the AM market. 47% predict that foreign orders and exports will increase in the next six months. 47% predict that the number and value of foreign orders will not change, while 6% see a decline in foreign orders. CECIMO stated that this is a sign of greater foreign demand in Europe and an ever-increasing optimism at additive manufacturing companies.
When asked how the respondents assess the order situation in their own market in the next six months – especially in comparison with the previous six months – optimism is evident, indicated by the fact that the percentage expectations in all AM categories (products/manufacturing parts, machines, materials and services) are higher than before. CECIMO surveys indicate that the AM products category and manufacturing parts will experience the greatest growth. Fully 52% of respondents expect growth, while 1% anticipate a decrease. This is encouraging, as it was only 16% in the Spring 2022 poll. The 36% remaining expect results to stay the same. This may not surprise many, but AM machinery is the second best category. This has increased significantly after a slight decrease in spring 2022. This also shows that only 1% expects a drop in incoming order. This will be a boon for AM machine makers.
Respondents to the survey found that the AM category was very promising. Photo credit: CECIMO.
AM Industry Expects a Boost in Investments
If we compare this year’s survey on additive manufacturing trends in Europe, more companies stated that they expect an increase in future investments (36%), but also more companies think that a decrease will happen (9%). CECIMO, however, is optimistic. It says that this positive investment trend will likely continue, particularly considering the strength of the additive market and its past growth. It also asks for your opinions on future exports. It can be summarized as follows: More foreign/export orders will be expected. This trend mirrors the outlook for the domestic market. The percentage of respondents who are not positive about it is lower than those who expect an increase. AM service providers are expected have the highest order growth, with a positive ratio of 59%.
Respondents were asked to comment on the overall order numbers in Europe. Comparing the spring 2022 survey, we see strong growth but with different trends. The order prediction for composite materials shows a slight drop, with metals coming in at 60%. Only 1% of respondents anticipate a decline in orders in the next six-months. The consensus is that ceramics will continue to grow as an AM material. This forecast was given by 39% of the respondents, as opposed to 12% in previous surveys.
Only 1% of the metals as material sector expect a decline. (Image by CECIMO).
The order intake by customer segment is also discussed in CECIMO’s report on trends in AM in Europe. In summary, it can be said that the percentage balance in the aerospace, mechanical engineering and chemicals & pharmaceuticals sectors has improved strongly and the respondents expect better business in this area. It is worth mentioning the aerospace industry, which saw a significant increase in positive percentage from 7% to 37% since the survey started. This sector represents the highest value measured. Respondents are less confident about the automotive sector, where the positive growth balance has decreased from 41% to 28%. Although the sector still has high order expectations, subjects are less optimistic than ever about it. CECIMO points out that the supply side is facing increasing challenges. This sector may finally be able to show a positive expectation value after the latest survey on AM orders from pharmaceutical and chemical sectors. This positive result is offset by the fact, however, that the expectation for additive manufacturing order is still lower than 2020 and 2021 levels.
This report and the opinions of individual respondents regarding AM trends in Europe can be viewed as positives, especially when compared to previous surveys. Click HERE to find out more about AM trends.
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*Cover photo credits: CECIMO