Market Overview

The Global 4D Printing Market  size was valued at USD 238.37 million in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 3.72 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 41.00% from 2023 to 2030.

4D printing is an improved way to make things that lets you make things that change shape and move. It is a kind of 3D printing that adds a fourth dimension, which is time. This means that 4D printed objects can change their shape or properties over time in reaction to heat, moisture, light, or magnetic fields, for example.

The technology is based on the use of programmable materials that can be made to react in a controlled and predictable way to specific stimuli. These materials can be used to print complex structures that can change their shape, color, or other physical properties in reaction to outside stimuli.

There are many different ways that 4D printing could be used. The technology could change many businesses, such as health care, aerospace, the auto industry, and consumer goods. 4D printing can be used in healthcare to make smart implants that can change their form and function based on what the patient needs. In aerospace, 4D-printed parts can be made to fix themselves or adjust to changes in the surroundings. 4D printing can be used in the auto business to make parts that are light, strong, and can change their shape to improve performance.

The 4D printing market is still in its early stages, with only a few players and uses. But technology is changing quickly, and there is a lot of room for growth and new ideas in the coming years. As the price of 4D printing technology goes down and the number of materials that can be printed on grows, more companies are likely to start using it and looking for ways to use it.

In the coming years, one of the main things that will drive the growth of the 4D printing market around the world will be the need to lower manufacturing and handling costs due to fierce competition. 4D technology suggests a new business model based on 3D printing technology that meets current business needs by lowering the need for capital, inventory, and time-to-market to make business more efficient.

Market Dynamics

Trends:The 4D printing market will be driven by the rise of Industry 5.0 and the rise in demand for Industry 4.0

Additive Manufacturing, which is also known as 3D printing, is a part of Industry 4.0. Recently, there have been a lot of funding efforts that are making this technology better. For example, in January 2019, Materialise and Genesis Park led a Series A round in which Essentium, a 3-D printer company, raised USD 22 million.

Since the technology for additive manufacturing is still changing quickly, companies have learned that "manufacturing as a service" is a good way to go. Also, the future of additive manufacturing is the ability to make personalized products with lower costs, less energy use, and less waste of materials. This is exactly what Industry 5.0 has to give.

Industry 5.0 will support 4-D printing because it will make it easier to focus on the planning process instead of the making process. Because of the freedom to create, people will be able to make products that are more unique and personal.

North America will have the biggest share of the 4D printing market

When it comes to using additive manufacturing, North America, and the United States in particular, are some of the first countries to do so. Over the next few years, it is likely to continue to be the market leader.

Autodesk, a company based in the US, launched ADAPT in December 2018. It is a consortium for additive manufacturing that is based on visionary research, scalable education tools, actionable strategic insights, and an academic-industry ecosystem.

EnvisionTEC, which is based in Michigan, is one of the top companies that makes and sells patented 3D rapid prototyping and production solutions for companies all over the world. Because the company has a lot of customers and partners in the car, aerospace, and medical industries, it plans to start making 4-D prototypes soon.

Drivers: Smart materials are becoming more popular

One of the main things driving the 4D printing market is the rising need for smart materials. Smart materials can notice, react to, and change in response to changes in their surroundings. They have special qualities that let them change their shape, color, or other features in response to things like light, heat, or pressure.

4D printing technology makes it possible to make complicated structures and systems out of smart materials that can put themselves together or fix themselves. This makes them very useful in a wide range of situations. When smart materials are used in 4D printing, new products can be made that can change fields like health care, construction, and aerospace.

Research and development spending went up

Due to more money being spent on research and development, the 4D printing market is likely to grow a lot. Since the technology is still in its early stages, there needs to be a lot of study and development done to make it better and more useful. It is important to make new materials, software, and tools for 4D printing so that it can be used in more ways and be more accurate and precise.

Governments and private companies are putting a lot of money into research and development for 4D printing to spur innovation and open up new market possibilities. For example, the US Department of Defense has put money into creating 4D printing technology so that smart, flexible structures can be made for military use. Also, a lot of companies are putting money into research and development to find new materials and uses for 4D printing, which is driving the growth of the market.

Opportunity: Use in many different industries

4D printing technology has the ability to change many industries by making manufacturing more advanced and efficient. Aerospace, automotive, building, healthcare, and the military are all looking into the technology.

In the aerospace industry, 4D printing can make it possible to make structures that can change shape in reaction to things like changes in temperature or pressure. This can lead to the creation of airplane parts that can change their shape to lower drag and make the plane fly better.

In the auto business, 4D printing can be used to make parts that are smart and light, which can save fuel and cut pollution. For example, 4D printing can be used to make tires that put themselves together and can change their track patterns depending on how the road is.

4D printing can be used in the building business to make structures and materials that can put themselves together and change as the environment does. This could lead to the creation of buildings that can change their size and shape to save energy and make people more comfortable.

In the medical field, 4D printing can be used to make implants and devices that can be changed to fit the needs of each patient. The technology can also be used to make sensitive drug delivery systems that can release medicine in response to certain biological triggers.

Emerging markets

With more people wanting customized and smart goods in emerging markets, the 4D printing market has a chance to grow in these areas. In these markets, there is a need for high-quality, new goods, and this technology can help meet that need.

Growth Factors

During the next few years, the 4D printing market is expected to grow a lot because there is more demand for managing resources. The 4D technology is helpful because it lets people print things that can change shape or put themselves together over time. This is expected to be a good thing for fields like building construction, robotics, and furniture, and all of these uses of 4D printing will help the market grow. Since there is a lot of competition between the big players in the market, using 4D printing helps keep processing and production costs down. This is the main reason why this market is growing so quickly. 4D printing uses the same technology as 3D printing. This means that it takes less time to market, has less inventory, and needs less cash.

Major Segments Covered

The 4D Printing Technology market research report is categorized based on type, applications and region.

By Type:

Inkjet Printing

Inkjet printing is a type of computer printing that uses tiny droplets of ink to make a digital picture on paper or plastic.[1] Inkjet printers were the most popular type in 2008[2], and they come in a wide range of sizes and prices, from small, cheap models for home use to large, expensive ones for businesses. By 2019, laser printers sold nearly twice as many as inkjet printers, 9.6% to 5.1% of all computer accessories.

Melt Deposition Modeling (FDM)

FDM, which is also known as fused filament fabrication, is a popular way to print in 3D. During the printing process, solid and thermoplastic filaments are melted and pushed out of a hot nozzle.

The Direct Ink Writing (DIW)

Direct-Ink-Writing (DIW) is an additive manufacturing method based on extrusion that is widely used at the meso- and micro-scales. In DIW, the liquid-phase "ink" comes out of small nozzles at controlled flow rates and is deposited along digitally defined paths to build 3D objects layer by layer.

SLA stands for stereolithography

Stereolithography (SLA or SL; also called vat photopolymerisation, optical manufacturing, photo-solidification, or resin printing)

The Electron Beam Melting (EBM)

Electron Beam Melting, or EBM, is a 4D manufacturing method in which a high-energy beam of electrons melts powdered metal.

SLM stands for selective laser melting.

Selective laser melting (SLM) is one of many proprietary names[1] for an additive manufacturing (AM) method for making metal parts from a bed of powder and a heat source. Powder bed fusion (PBF) is the official term used by the ASTM. This process is also known as direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). PBF is a type of fast prototyping, 3D printing, or additive manufacturing that uses a high-power-density laser to melt and fuse together metal powders.

By Application:

Automobile

Features of 4D printing like self-assembly, self-repair, and being able to do more than one thing give the automotive business a lot of room for growth. This paper is set up to show off the different features and materials that work with 4D printing technology that are important for automotive uses.

Aerospace

The aerospace and defense segment is projected to have the biggest share of the market in 2021, and it will grow at a CAGR of 44% during the forecast period. The world market for 4D printing is split into automotive, construction and utility, healthcare, clothing, aerospace and defense, and other markets. Over the next few years, there will be a lot of growth in sales for the aerospace and defense market. When space memory is used in 4D printing, it helps make a structure that can set itself up. This is very useful in the aircraft industry. Airbus is trying to find a way to cool the engines of planes with a smart material that will change depending on the temperature. There are changes in the defense field, and these changes happen quickly. Changes are happening quickly, which is good for the defense business. Because of these changes in technology, it is now possible to make things that can fix themselves and make copies of themselves in response to their surroundings.

Chemical Industrial

The chemical industry is looking into 4D printing to make materials whose properties can be changed or tuned in reaction to certain stimuli. This technology could be used to make, among other things, smart packages, responsive coatings, and materials that can fix themselves.

Architecture

Two-way reversibility of 4D-printed composites is a topic of active study in materials science, but it has not been clearly addressed in the practical context of architectural design because of technical barriers. This study is the first architectural presentation of the whole design process, simulation, and making of the 4D-printed and parametrically moveable facade.

Education

A 4D-printed item is made the same way as any other 3D-printed shape. The difference is that 4D printing uses modern materials that can be programmed to do different things when hot water, light, or heat are added. So, over time, a non-living thing can change its 3D shape and how it acts.

Medical Care

During the forecast period, the health care market is also expected to have good growth in terms of revenue. For better biocompatibility, people are coming up with new ways to find out how to do organ transplants better. This will be an important factor driving the market over the next few years. The rise of this market segment is likely to be driven by the use of 4D printing in new fields like tissue engineering, which uses biomaterials that can be used to make human skin that can put itself together. In the future, technology could also make it so that people don't have to go through as many painful surgeries. It is also thought that health care professionals could use the self-bending parts to treat any flaws in the patient.

By Material:

Programmable Carbon Fiber

During the time frame of the forecast, the segment for programmable carbon fiber is projected to bring in the most money. Carbon fiber can be used in a wide range of businesses because it is strong, light, and stiff. The printing material, which is on bendable carbon fiber and works with heat, changes the material in a comfortable way. There was no need to use complicated sensors or motors. It helps cut down on the total amount of weight. It also helps reduce the number of tasks that are likely to fail. Because of all of these things, there is a growing need for 4D printing options in this market segment.

Programmable Biomaterials

This part is about using biological materials like proteins, DNA, and living cells that can be programmed to self-assemble or change shape in response to certain stimuli. This method could be used in biomedical research in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and other areas.

Programmable Smart Materials

This section talks about how to use materials whose physical qualities can change in response to things like temperature, light, or magnetic fields. Smart materials include both shape-memory metals and electrical materials. These materials could be used to make robots, detect things, or move them.

Programmable Hydrogels

This part talks about the use of materials that can absorb and hold a lot of water and can be programmed to change shape or properties in response to specific stimuli like temperature, pH, or light. Hydrogels could be used in drug delivery, tissue repair, and other areas of scientific research.

Programmable Shape Memory Polymers

In this part, polymers are used that can be set up to change their shape or properties in response to things like temperature or light. These materials could be used in the aircraft industry, the car industry, and other places where lightweight, flexible materials are needed.

Programmable Metal Alloys

This part talks about how to use metal alloys that can change shape or properties when exposed to heat or magnetic fields, for example. These materials could be used in robots, space travel, and other areas where flexible materials are needed.

Programmable Ceramics

This part talks about how to use ceramics that can be made to change their physical qualities in response to things like temperature or pressure. These materials could be used in electronics, aircraft, and other areas that need strong, heat-resistant materials.

Regional Insights

Geographically, the global 4D Printing Technology market has been analysed in various regions such as North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa (MEA).

During the forecast period, the North American market is projected to grow quickly and make up a big part of the whole market. This is due to the fact that the idea of 4D technology started in the US and that people are becoming more interested in the growth of technology. More and more money is being put into research and development in the area, and scientists are working on making 4D materials that can adapt to different environments.

By 2025, the Asia-Pacific market should follow North America. Market growth in the Asia-Pacific region is likely to be driven by a greater focus on technological advances and new product creation. This will create lucrative opportunities for key players in this industry. But high start-up costs are likely to slow market growth in the coming years.

Scope Of Report

Key Vendors

• Stratasys Ltd
• Nervous System
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Hewlett Packard Corporation
• Exone Corporation
• Autodesk Inc
• ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science (ACES)
• Fast Radius
• Autodesk
• 3D Systems Corporation
• Materialise NV
• Organovo Holdings, Inc.
• Dassault Systèmes SA and others

1. Stratasys Ltd.

Stratasys is the world leader in additive technology solutions for businesses like aerospace, automotive, consumer products, design, education, and healthcare. Over the past 30 years, a strong and ongoing focus on the business needs of customers has led to purposeful innovations that create new value at every stage of a product's development, from designing prototypes to making tools for manufacturing and final production parts.

The Stratasys 3D printing ecosystem of solutions and expertise, which includes advanced materials, software with voxel-level control, precise, repeatable, and reliable FDM, PolyJet, SAF, P3, and Stereolithography 3D printers, application-based expert services, on-demand parts, and industry-defining partnerships, works to ensure seamless integration into each customer's changing workflow.

2. Nervous System

Nervous System is a company for generative design that works where science, art, and technology meet. We make things with a new method that uses computer modeling to come up with designs and digital fabrication to make the things. We write computer programs that are based on the processes and patterns we see in nature. We then use these programs to make unique, cheap art, jewelry, and home goods.

3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that focuses on science. MIT's mission is to improve knowledge and teach students in areas that add to or do well in a science and technology environment.

4. Exone Corporation

ExOne is a global company that uses binder jetting technology to make sand 3D printing systems and services for makers in many different industries. Sand castings can be made with complex cores and molds with the help of ExOne® sand 3D printing tools. Our tools can do all kinds of 3D sand printing, from making prototypes to making a lot of the same thing.

5. Autodesk Inc

Autodesk is changing how things are created and built around the world. Our technology is used in building, engineering, construction, product design, manufacturing, media, and entertainment, giving innovators everywhere the tools they need to solve problems big and small. Autodesk software helps our customers create and make things that make the world a better place for everyone, like greener buildings, smarter products, and more exciting blockbusters.

Autodesk software like AutoCAD, Revit, Maya, 3ds Max, Fusion 360, SketchBook, and more are used by more than 100 million people to unlock their talent and solve important design, business, and environmental problems. Our software works on both personal computers and mobile devices. It uses the unlimited computing power of the cloud to help teams around the world work together, create, simulate, and build their ideas in 3D.

Industry News

• In July 2021, scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology came up with a new way to change the shape of printed items by using a magnetic field. The technology could be used to make biomedical gadgets and soft robots.

• Also in July 2021, researchers at the University of Maryland made a new 4D printing material that can be designed to change shape and color when heated. The material could be used in fashion, architecture, and medicine, among other areas.

• In May 2021, Stratasys released a new material for its J750 Digital Anatomy 3D printer called Voxel-level Advanced VeroClear. For medical education and training, the material makes it possible to print anatomical models with a lot of complexity and realism.

• In March 2021, 4D printing business nTopology said that Insight Partners would lead a $40 million funding round. With the money, the company will grow faster and offer more services in the aerospace, automotive, and medical fields.

• In February 2021Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder came up with a new 4D printing method. This method makes it possible to make strong buildings with complicated shapes. The process involves a mix of inkjet printing and heat to create strong, lightweight objects.

Market Segmentaion

By Type:

• Inkjet Printing
• Melt Deposition Modeling (FDM)
• Direct Ink Writing (DIW)
• Stereolithography (SLA)
• Electron Beam Melting (EBM)
• Selective Laser Melting (SLM)

By Application:

• Automobile
• Aerospace
• Chemical Industrial
• Architecture
• Education
• Medical Care

By Material:

• Programmable Carbon Fiber
• Programmable Biomaterials
• Programmable Smart Materials
• Programmable Hydrogels
• Programmable Shape Memory Polymers
• Programmable Metal Alloys
• Programmable Ceramics

 Global 4D printing Market Regional insights

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • Rest of North America
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • UK
  • Nordic Countries
    • Denmark
    • Finland
    • Iceland
    • Sweden
    • Norway
  • Benelux Union
    • Belgium
    • The Netherlands
    • Luxembourg
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
    • Indonesia
    • Thailand
    • Malaysia
    • Singapore
    • Rest of Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• The Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Egypt
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America

Conclusion: