CECIMO survey on key market trends in the European Additive Manufacturing sector
February 16, 2021
CECIMO, the European Association of the Machine Tool Industries and related Manufacturing Technologies, organised the first round of its European Additive Manufacturing Survey in September and October 2020. Launched with the cooperation of national associations in Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, and the United Kingdom, the survey aims to collect data directly from the industry and help companies outline a European overview of the main trends in the AM market.
The six-month survey is expected to help the industry record trend indications for key business areas, such as total business, AM exports, orders by type of material, client industry demand and trend investment.
During this first round, CECIMO received a total of eighty-six replies from the national associations taking part in the project. The results show that AM total business and AM exports both register relatively strong positive balances in all categories (products and parts, machines, materials and services), which would outline a growth scenario for AM business in the European domestic and foreign markets.
Material net balances show that potential growth lies ahead for all categories, yet some will probably fare better than others. For instance, metals scores a strong 44.3% balance whereas plastics sees a 55.6% rate, which implies that plastic will have a comparatively better growth path than metal, despite the positive outlook for this material.
Regarding AM purchasing sectors, individual balances show seemingly diverging trends. Aerospace and automotive both register negative net percentages, -30% and -19.7% respectively. A tightening of AM business in these branches can therefore be expected in the short term. Conversely, the medical sector registers a 61% net balance, the highest score at sectoral level. AM orders for medical use is therefore expected to expand strongly, following the AM sector’s important contribution to the challenge to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
CECIMO reports that preparation for the second round of the survey is underway, with the aim of ensuring this new trend survey becomes an essential tool for companies, market analysts and policymakers.
