10 Key 3D Printing Trends Driving 2020 Innovation

In 2019, additive manufacturing accelerated at an unprecedented pace, unlocking new technologies, partnerships, and markets. As we step into 2020, the industry is poised for a transformative year. Below are the ten most influential trends that will shape 3D printing across sectors.

1. The 3D Printing Landscape Becomes Even More Diverse

Formnext 2019 showcased the sector’s rapid expansion, with 852 exhibitors—an impressive 35 % rise from the previous year—representing a wide spectrum of startups and established players. This surge signals a healthy growth trajectory and a growing appetite for innovation.

New entrants such as Spectroplast, a silicone 3‑printing specialist; One Click Metal, offering an affordable laser powder‑bed fusion system; and Stratasys‑spin‑off Evolve Additive Solutions, which pioneered an electrophotographic process, are just a few examples of companies redefining the market.

AMFG’s 2019 Additive Manufacturing Industry Landscape report identified over 80 printer manufacturers, most of whom launched within the last decade. The trend is set to continue, intensifying competition and accelerating technological breakthroughs.

2. A Wider Array of Application‑Specific Materials Is on the Horizon

Jabil’s recent survey highlighted material cost and availability as critical barriers to production‑grade additive manufacturing. While prices may remain steady, the industry is actively developing new polymers engineered for specific industrial needs.

Jabil’s Materials Innovation Center, inaugurated in early 2019, is a full‑cycle facility that transforms customer requirements into tailor‑made polymer powders and filaments. This approach is expected to bridge the gap between injection‑moulding materials and those suitable for 3D printing.

Major material suppliers such as BASF and GKN Additive are increasingly positioning themselves as solution providers, integrating AM into their value chains and bolstering the technology’s industrialisation.

3. Expect More High‑Temperature Polymer 3D Printers and Materials

The past year saw a surge in high‑temperature printers from Roboze, Zortrax, and Essentium, driven by demand for high‑performance thermoplastics like PEEK. These polymers offer exceptional heat, chemical resistance, and strength but pose significant printing challenges.

Manufacturers are tackling these hurdles by equipping machines with heated beds and high‑temperature nozzles, expanding the catalog of printable high‑temperature materials and enabling wider industrial adoption.

4. Composite 3D Printing Enters a Growth Stage

Lightweight, high‑strength composites are prized in aerospace, automotive, oil & gas, and industrial goods. Additive manufacturing can streamline composite production, reducing cost and lead times compared to traditional manual methods.

Companies like Fortify, Impossible Objects, and Arevo have secured substantial funding and demonstrated successful applications—from bike frames to aerospace components. Desktop Metal’s Fiber line and a host of hardware‑material partnerships underscore the sector’s momentum.

5. 3D Printing Software Evolves at an Accelerated Pace

Historically, software lagged behind hardware and materials, forcing designers to juggle multiple tools for build preparation, simulation, and design‑for‑additive workflows. 2020 will see a surge in intuitive, integrated solutions that streamline the design pipeline.

Enhanced simulation accuracy, real‑time monitoring, and user‑friendly design tools will unlock broader production use and embed 3D printing deeper into mainstream manufacturing processes.

6. MES Software Becomes Essential for Scalable Production

Serial production lines demand seamless workflow management. Manual work‑order handling and post‑build inspection create bottlenecks, hindering scalability.

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) tailored for AM will link all stages—from job scheduling to quality assurance—into a unified digital ecosystem. Integration of MES into 3D‑printing facilities is becoming a prerequisite for industrialisation.

7. Post‑Processing Automation Takes Center Stage

Automating support removal, cleaning, and surface finishing is critical for high‑volume production. Companies such as AMT, DyeMansion, and PostProcess Technologies have introduced solutions that automate depowdering, tumbling, and colour‑matching.

AMT’s upcoming depowdering unit, currently in beta, promises to eliminate manual powder removal, turning 3D printing into a continuous, repeatable process suitable for mass manufacturing.

8. High‑Volume 3D Printing Moves Closer to Reality

Metal binder jetting is the leading technology for rapid, high‑precision, low‑cost production. ExOne’s X1 160PRO and Desktop Metal’s Shop System are set to launch late 2020, targeting high‑volume automotive and industrial parts.

High‑volume polymer printing has also seen breakthroughs: HP’s million‑part dental case and 3D Systems’ production of hundreds of thousands of Align Technology parts illustrate the scalability potential.

9. Data Becomes Key to Repeatability in 3D Printing

In‑process monitoring through embedded sensors and cameras is emerging as a vital tool for ensuring consistent part quality. Solutions like Additive Assurance’s metal‑printing quality platform are enabling real‑time data capture and analytics.

As data collection matures, manufacturers will gain confidence in the reliability of AM for production‑grade components.

10. Collaboration Accelerates AM for Production

Industry‑government‑research collaborations—such as the IDAM project led by BMW—aim to demonstrate large‑scale AM production of automotive parts. Partnerships across material suppliers, machine builders, and end‑users will create interoperable workflows and streamline scaling.

Such ecosystems are pivotal for proving AM’s competitiveness and expanding its market footprint.

3D Printing in 2020: Focus on Full‑Scale Industrialisation

2020 will cement 3D printing’s trajectory toward industrialisation. Continued investment from incumbents and newcomers alike, combined with a concerted push to overcome cost, material, and workflow barriers, will broaden the technology’s reach and unlock new application domains.

Read more: 20 AM experts share their predictions for 2020.