3D printing industry in China similar to solar sector

Want China Times, Yeh Wen-yi and Staff Reporter 2013-06-08

3D printed ducks commissioned by Hong Kong's Toys "R" Us store. (Photo/CNS)

China's 3D printing industry is likely to follow the notorious path of its struggling solar panel industry, the Chinese-language Forbes China reports.

There is currently a lack of creativity that will restrict the development of the country's 3D printing technology, as those in the mainstream manufacturing industry are finding it difficult to innovate, the paper said.

China's 3D printing has encountered a series of problems similar to those found when developing the domestic solar industry, as its 3D printing products currently lack precision and the reliability of its hardware does not come close to international standards.

The country also relies solely on imported components to build its 3D printers, the paper said, adding that countless companies from various sectors have started to squeeze their way into the industry — a phenomenon that affected the development of the country's solar energy industry as well.

Wohlers Associates, an independent research organization, said that 3D printing represented a US$2.2 billion global market last year, an increase of 28.6% from the previous year.

The world's 3D printing market has grown on average by 27.4% in the past three years, while 38% of the world's printing equipment is found in the US, 9.7% in Japan, 9.4% in Germany and 8.7% in China.

Luo Jun, head of the Asian Manufacturing Association, said that China's 3D printing market currently represents US$163 million, and it is expected to grow 10 fold in the next three years, with an annual growth forecast at 215%.

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