Wellesley, Mass., Aug. 01, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Growing penetration in different sectors, new manufacturing processes with high-throughput and lower production costs, and increased research and development activities are among the key factors driving huge growth in the global market for 3D printing of technical ceramics. In its new report, BCC Research anticipates this global market to reach $174 million and $544 million in 2017 and 2022, respectively, achieving a 25.6% CAGR. 

According to 3D Printed Technical Ceramics: Technologies and Global Markets, the global 3D printing industry is currently valued at over $7 billion and is expanding at a CAGR exceeding 20% through 2022. Ceramic 3D printing represents almost 11% of this market, which consumer products, primarily pottery, dominates. However, interest continues to grow in the development and commercialization of 3D printed technical ceramics for various applications in the healthcare, mechanical, chemical and electrical sectors, among others.

As many as 17 different 3D printing processes (not including variants and processes upgrades) are currently being developed or applied to the fabrication of technical ceramics. These processes are broadly classified as: powder-based, suspension-based and tape-based. Advanced ceramics produced by these methods find their primary use in the following sectors: electrical and electronics, optical and optoelectronics, life science, mechanical/chemical and energy.

Research Highlights

• Applications in the mechanical/chemical sector account for the largest share of the total market in 2017, an estimated 44.8%.
• 3D printed ceramics are most to fabricate structural components for aerospace and defense, filters and membranes, and catalysts and catalyst supports.
• Worldwide patent applications and patents issued grew at a 61.2% CAGR from 2011-2016.

"Technical and traditional ceramic sectors have evolved not only due to the introduction of new materials with unique properties, but also because of the development of new fabrication technologies that enable the production of such materials on a large scale and with energy-efficient processes," says Margareth Gagliardi, BCC Research analyst and author of the report. "For example, in the case of ceramic materials, traditional sintering techniques have seen a shift toward fast-firing methods such as microwave and spark plasma sintering."

About BCC Research

BCC Research is a publisher of market research reports that provide organizations with intelligence to drive smart business decisions. By partnering with industry experts worldwide, BCC Research provides unbiased measurements and assessments of global markets covering major industrial and technology sectors, including emerging markets. For more information about BCC Research, please visit bccresearch.com. Follow BCC Research on Twitter at @BCCResearch.