China’s 3D printing industry sees rapid growth, with equipment output up 52.3% and 3D printer exports rising 90% in the first half of 2026.
China’s 3D printing industry recorded strong growth in the first seven months of 2026, with production and exports both rising sharply.
According to the latest data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics, China’s output of 3D printing equipment rose 52.3 per cent year on year from January to July—the growth rate ranked among the fastest of major industrial products.
In July alone, output increased 65.7 per cent year on year.
The increase came as overall industrial production faced short-term disruptions, including extreme weather. At the same time, several high-tech products recorded strong growth, including industrial robots and lithium-ion batteries.
Production and Exports Grow Rapidly
The rise in output of 3D printing equipment has continued throughout the year.
In the first half of 2026, output increased 48.5 per cent year on year. Growth then accelerated to 65.7 per cent in July.
Exports also grew rapidly. China exported 3.61 million 3D printers in the first half of the year, up 90 per cent year on year.
From January to April, exports reached 2.46 million units. Their value stood at 6.106 billion yuan (about £650 million), up 100.3 per cent year on year. Export volume and value both increased by more than 100 per cent over the four months.
Meanwhile, the domestic industry is also changing its business model. Traditionally, 3D printing companies focused on selling equipment. Now, some leading companies are expanding into production capacity and related services.
Industry estimates put China’s 3D printing market at about 700 billion yuan (£74 billion) in 2025. The market is expected to exceed 862 billion yuan this year.
Industrial Clusters and New Business Models
Industrial clusters are also developing around 3D printing. In Shenzhen, output of 3D printing equipment rose 58.1 per cent year on year in the first half of 2026. The city’s exports reached 82.7 billion yuan, accounting for about 86 per cent of China’s total exports of 3D printing equipment.
Companies in the sector are working more closely with suppliers and downstream manufacturers. This allows them to shorten the time needed for technology development and mass production.
At the same time, artificial intelligence is making 3D printing more accessible to consumers. Some new products can now start printing with little setup after being unpacked. Others can generate 3D models from images. As a result, 3D printing is becoming easier for people without specialised modelling or equipment skills to use.
Chinese companies are also expanding their overseas offerings. Instead of exporting printers alone, some companies now provide a wider range of products and services. These include 3D scanners, laser engraving machines and cloud-based model libraries.
Some manufacturers are also using large numbers of 3D printers at the same time. In one emerging model, about 1,000 printers can operate simultaneously. This can shorten mould development and production processes that traditionally took several months to around seven days.
Applications Expand Across Industries
The use of 3D printing has also expanded beyond prototyping and product development.
In the automotive industry, for example, 3D printing can shorten the development of traditional moulds from two or three months to about five days.
In aerospace, companies are using the technology to make more complex components. These include engine combustion chambers and turbine blades, in addition to lightweight structural parts.
The consumer electronics industry is another application area. Titanium-alloy hinge components for foldable smartphones have entered mass production.
In Shenzhen, industrial 3D printing equipment is also being used to produce components for embodied-intelligence robots in a single operation.
One company has developed technologies covering three material areas: continuous fibre, metal and ceramics. It uses these materials to produce components that combine lightweight structures with high strength. The company’s products are used in emerging sectors such as the low-altitude economy and new-energy vehicles.
With production, exports and applications all expanding, 3D printing is playing a growing role in China’s manufacturing sector. Its use now covers consumer products, industrial components and emerging technologies.
Additional reporting by HKCNA.
If you liked this article, why not read: China’s Next Stage | How China’s Foreign Trade Reached a Record High
