China May Be Keeping Investors In 3D Printing Sector Hopeful

According to IDC, 3D printer shipments in the China market more than doubled over 2015, largely driven by sales of desktop 3D printers of US$5,000 or less, a DigiTimes article informed. The firm anticipates shipments reached 77,000 units last year, up from 34,000 units in 2014.

Moreover, analysts believe that the desktop 3D printer market will continue to exhibit such a growth trend in the next few years to come as the Chinese government goes on to promote 3D printer awareness and usage within educational institutions.

Wendy Mok, research manager for IDPS at IDC China assured the local 3D printer market in China will also –more than- double in 2016, surpassing the US market by the end of the year. “However, the US is expected to retain its position as the market leader in terms of market revenues, due to the greater proportion of high-end printers adopted by the manufacturing sector,” she added.

In fact, it should be noted that, while desktop 3D printer shipments account for more than 90 percent of the 3D printer market in China, professional 3D printers contribute with 78 percent of total revenues. “As a result, market revenues from desktop 3D printers in China are lagging due to the distinct revenue gap. Aided by the China government's initiatives to promote 3D printer awareness and training within the education segment, IDC expects the China 3D printer market to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 43% with total shipments to reach 440,000 units by 2020,” the DigiTimes article read.

Disclosure: Javier Hasse holds no positions in any of the securities mentioned above.