According to Wohlers Report 2026, in 2025, the global additive manufacturing market grew by 10.9% to $24.2 billion. The 3D printing services segment grew the fastest, by 15.5%, while equipment sales increased by 3.6%. The technology is increasingly being used by aviation, automotive, aerospace, and energy companies to accelerate product development and reduce dependence on suppliers.
Toyota and Rivian are exploring the use of large-format 3D printers for manufacturing production tooling. Hyundai has installed two industrial printers in its research center for producing prototypes, test parts, and small batches of products. BMW annually produces over 100,000 items using 3D printing, and from 2027, plans to use large-format metal printing for mass production of components.
Uzbekistan is also evaluating the potential of the technology. In August, representatives of Rosatom, the Uzatom agency, and about 30 industrial enterprises discussed the creation of an Additive Technologies Center. It is proposed to study the needs of factories, conduct a production audit, and identify promising areas. An example is Rosatom's center in Minsk, which completed more than 20 orders in its first year. Similar projects are being developed for Egypt and Vietnam. 3D printing is especially useful for complex parts, small batches, and rapid manufacturing of non-standard tooling.
