Industrial metal systems lead a market rebound in the high-end as consumer-grade volumes surge again

London, 15th January 2026 - Global shipments of Industrial 3D printing systems moved back into growth in the third quarter of 2025, as rising demand from aerospace and defence and a renewed surge in China’s domestic market helped lift the high-end of the industry out of a prolonged slowdown. The
low-end Entry-level remained white-hot with rising shipments attracting new financial investment.

New data from CONTEXT shows total hardware system revenues rose 5% YoY in Q3 2025, supported by growth at both ends of the market. Industrial systems benefitted from a recovery in metal platforms, while the Entry-level continued its exceptional run.


After two years of weak demand at the high end, the latest figures suggest conditions are beginning to stabilise for Industrial machine shipments.
“The mood across the high end of the market is still cautious, but it is no longer defensive,” said Chris Connery, Vice President of Global Analysis at CONTEXT. “The industry has moved past the expansion-at-any-cost phase and is now concentrating on sectors where additive manufacturing is
already delivering clear economic value. Aerospace, defence and domestic Chinese manufacturing are doing most of the heavy lifting.”

Chart 1: Quarterly global 3D printer system revenues by price class



Industrial and Midrange Systems: Metal Drives the Recovery

Industrial system shipments, defined as systems priced above $100,000, rose 3% YoY in unit terms. Growth was strongest in China, where shipments were up 22%, making it once again the largest contributor to global industrial volumes.

While industrial polymer platforms continued to face headwinds, the recovery was instead concentrated in Metal Powder Bed Fusion systems, where global shipments increased 25% YoY. Chinese vendors ZRapid Tech and BLT stood out during the quarter seeing the most significant YoY shipment growth.

China’s domestic aerospace and private space sectors were the main drivers. Shipments from Chinese metal PBF vendors rose 35% YoY, with most systems remaining within the local market. Western aerospace and defence customers also showed renewed buying activity, although at a more measured pace.

Among Western suppliers, EOS delivered a strong quarter with revenues up 20% YoY, while Nikon SLM Solutions maintained its position in large format metal systems. China’s Eplus3D also posted revenue growth as demand shifted toward multi-laser, extra-large platforms. BLT continued its strong run, recording double-digit year-to-date revenue growth.

The Midrange segment, covering systems priced between $20,000 and $100,000, remained under pressure. Shipments fell -13% YoY, reflecting ongoing financing constraints and the uneven impact of regional on-shoring initiatives. One notable development was HP’s announcement at Formnext of its entry into industrial polymer material extrusion with a new filament platform, signalling fresh competition in a mature segment.

Across Industrial and Midrange price classes combined, unit shipment leaders included UnionTech, Stratasys, ZRapid Tech, Formlabs, 3D Systems, Flashforge, HP, Nano Dimension (including Markforged), EOS and BLT. Notable positive year-on-year shipment growth was recorded by UnionTech, ZRapid Tech, BLT, EOS and HP.

Professional Systems: Technology Migration
The Professional price band, covering systems priced between $2,500 and $20,000, declined -14% YoY. The contraction was again driven almost entirely by falling demand for material extrusion systems. Shipments of FDM/FFF printers in this price class cratered again as users migrated toward more capable and significantly lower-priced Entry-level machines Vat photopolymerisation systems remained comparatively resilient. Formlabs retained a dominant position with around 40% unit-share, supported by recent product refreshes that helped differentiate its portfolio from lower-cost resin competitors. Interest also grew around lower-priced continuous composite fibre systems, with FibreSeek (formerly Anisoprint), raising more than $4.5 million via Kickstarter.

Entry-Level Systems: Capital Follows Volume
Entry-level systems priced at $2,500 or below continued to expand rapidly. Global shipments rose 18% YoY, driven by both technical and price-innovation from China.

The segment additionally has become a focal point for strategic investment. Bambu Lab is widely reported to be closing a significant funding round, while DJI has made a strategic investment in Elegoo, marking a notable diversification move by the drone manufacturer. Snapmaker secured tens of millions of dollars in Series B funding following a successful crowdfunding campaign, and Creality has filed an IPO prospectus for a Hong Kong listing.

Market concentration remains high. Bambu Lab and Creality together accounted for 57% of global Entry-level shipments during the quarter.

Chart 2: Quarterly global 3D printer shipments (units) and trends by price class (note different scales)

Outlook
CONTEXT expects global additive manufacturing revenues to grow at a modest, single-digit rate for full-year 2025, with stronger momentum building into 2026. Recent interest rate cuts in the United States are expected to ease capital spending constraints from early next year.

“Much of 2025 was spent simplifying operations and clearing the decks of M&A distractions,” Connery added. “Supply chain resilience, defence investment and regional manufacturing strategies continue to favour additive manufacturing. China is leading the recovery today, but improving access to capital should support a broader rebound across Western markets next year.”

Price classes: Entry-level under $2,500; Professional $2,500 to $20,000; Midrange $20,000 to $100,000; Industrial above $100,000


About CONTEXT
CONTEXT is a B Corp certified provider of market intelligence and analytics for the global
technology industry. The company works with leading manufacturers, distributors and investors to
support strategic decision-making through advanced forecasting, analytics and data management.
CONTEXT systems track more than £200 billion in annual technology sales transactions, supported
by a global team of over 400 professionals operating in more than 35 countries.

Press contact
Funda Cizgenakad
T: +44 7876 616 246
E: Funda@contextworld.com