By li, chen —— Big Events ——
China’s 3D printing IPO wave: 3 companies sprint toward IPO, 4 enter listing guidance
China’s 3D printing industry has already produced listed companies such as Bright Laser Technologies (BLT), Farsoon Technologies, and Creality, and more enterprises are accelerating toward the capital markets. So far, Sanlv Technology, UnionTech, and Yuding Additive Manufacturing have submitted IPO applications, targeting the ChiNext, Hong Kong, and STAR Market respectively; companies including Guanghua Weiye, BMF (Boston Micro Fabrication), Xinjinghe, and Jufu Technology have also entered the listing guidance stage. 3D Printing Resource Library predicts that at least one more listed company is expected to emerge in China’s 3D printing industry by 2027.
—— Industry Dynamics ——
China exports 5.92 million 3D printers in first three quarters, up 94% year-on-year
Data from the General Administration of Customs shows that in the first three quarters of 2026, China cumulatively exported 5.92 million 3D printers, up 94% year-on-year, with export value of RMB 15.35 billion, up 104.6% year-on-year. In September alone, exports reached 910,000 units, up 119.6% year-on-year, with export value of RMB 2.17 billion, up 112.2% year-on-year—both export volume and value maintaining high-speed growth.
3D printed battery company Sakuu plans to go public in the US via SPAC
Recently, 3D printed battery company Sakuu signed a definitive business combination agreement with special purpose acquisition company Pyrophyte Acquisition Corp. II, with a pre-transaction valuation of US$600 million, and plans to list on the NYSE under the ticker “SAKU.” Sakuu intends to use the transaction proceeds for R&D and commercialization of its Kavian dry-printing battery electrode platform, advancing preparations for the platform’s expected market launch in the second quarter of 2027.
Zhongke Xianglong recognized as a national-level specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative “little giant” enterprise
Recently, metal 3D printing company Zhongke Xianglong was recognized as an eighth-batch national-level specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative “little giant” enterprise. Incubated by the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the company centers on design for additive manufacturing (DFAM), providing structural lightweight design and integrated manufacturing solutions for aerospace, medical devices, and other fields, while expanding into application markets such as automotive, 3C, nuclear fusion, and embodied intelligence.
—— Interesting Manufacturing ——
Lens Technology introduces 3D printing, producing one million titanium alloy phone midframes per year
Recently, Lens Precision (Taizhou) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Lens Technology, plans to invest RMB 70 million to introduce 3D printing equipment and automation systems for the production of titanium alloy smartphone midframes. The project will retrofit part of the existing aluminum alloy midframe production line in the current plant without building a new factory, and upon completion will form an annual production capacity of one million titanium alloy smartphone midframes.
XGIMI AI Memory Glasses G1 go on sale, featuring titanium metal 3D-printed frames
On October 28, XGIMI’s AI Memory Glasses G1 officially went on sale, offering either plano lenses or Zeiss AI glasses lenses, with the standard version priced at RMB 1,299 for the first release. The product’s frame uses a titanium metal 3D printing process, weighing as little as 17.9g, retaining a metallic texture while balancing frame structural strength and overall lightweight design.
Hubei Hong’an’s first 3D-printed farmhouse project begins construction
On October 27, the first 3D-printed farmhouse project in Gaolou Village, Gaoqiao Town, Hong’an County began construction, with technical support from Professor Xu Weiguo’s team at Tsinghua University, and jointly built by Hubei University of Technology, the Hubei Provincial University Alliance for Rural Construction, and Gaolou Village. The project is a two-story building with an area of 276 square meters. After completion, it will be owned by the village collective and used as a distinctive homestay and research/study demonstration site, supporting the integration of agriculture, culture, and tourism.
Lijian-2 successfully launched, with key components using metal 3D printing
On November 3, the Lijian-2 Y2 carrier rocket was successfully launched, sending 21 Qianfan polar-orbit satellites into their planned orbits. Key components such as the engine thrust chamber, turbopumps, and valves used metal 3D printing technology, involving titanium alloy and superalloy powders. As the frequency of commercial space launches increases, related components are expected to achieve mass production, placing higher demands on the consistency, oxygen content, and sphericity of metal powders.
—— Financing/M&A ——
Gaoneng Shuzhao completes nearly RMB 100 million Series B financing,entering new energy battery 3D printing
On November 2, new energy battery 3D printing company Xi’an Gaoneng Shuzhao completed nearly RMB 100 million in Series B financing, with investors including Guangjin Fund, Hongqi Investment, and Shaanxi Financial Investment. The funds will be used for technology upgrades, capacity building, and market expansion. The company focuses on slurry extrusion lamination (SEL) technology, providing customized battery 3D printers that support low-cost, efficient production of complex-structure batteries, and enhancing its R&D and delivery capabilities for solid-state battery dry-process equipment.
UAE construction 3D printing company AC3D receives strategic investment
UAE construction 3D printing company AC3D received a strategic investment from local concrete company Transgulf Readymix in a late seed round. The two parties will collaborate on material optimization, project development, and commercialization in the Gulf region. Transgulf has been approved to produce 3D printing concrete mixes and will in the future use its own capacity, technology, and regional network to support AC3D’s market expansion.
Sirui Additive Manufacturing secures tens of millions in financing, doubling down on recycled metal 3D printing powder
Recently, Sirui Additive Manufacturing, founded by Professor Yan Ming of SUSTech, completed a Pre-A round of financing in the tens of millions, led jointly by Tongkai Wanwei Venture Capital and consumer electronics industry investors, with additional investment from the SUSTech Wutong Angel Fund. The company masters the core process of closed-loop recycling of titanium scrap into powder. The financing will be used for large-scale technology implementation and R&D, with a focus on advancing large-scale production of specialty metal 3D printing powders for consumer electronics, liquid cooling, and other fields.
Aurora Labs raises US$6 million to expand additive manufacturing business
Australia’s Aurora Labs completed US$6 million in financing, which will be used to expand its metal 3D printing production line, purchase additive manufacturing equipment, and improve its production system to increase turbojet engine capacity. At the same time, the company plans to recruit technical personnel, maintain AS9100D aerospace certification, and expand its 3D printing business in the defense and aerospace sectors.
—— New Products ——
Bambu Lab launches 9-printhead flagship 3D printer H3C, starting at RMB 13,999
On November 3, Bambu Lab officially launched its third-generation flagship 3D printer H3C, equipped with 9 printheads, with automatic switching in as fast as 6 seconds, supporting mixed printing of multiple nozzle diameters, variable line diameter extrusion, and multi-color, multi-material combination printing. The device is also equipped with an integrated AMS 3H system. The original price is RMB 16,499, and the price after the seven-day first-release period plus national subsidy is RMB 13,999.
Zhi Xiaobai launches AI-native 3D printing learning machine
On October 28, Zhi Xiaobai launched the Explorer One series AI-native 3D printing learning machine, integrating AI voice interaction, AI modeling, and science and innovation courses, aimed at children’s and family science and innovation education. Zhi Xiaobai is an independent business line under Nanjing Gongfudou Technology, which has long been engaged in the home 2D printing field and began布局 3D printing in 2024, having previously launched children’s 3D printers such as the Explorer 3 and Explorer 7.
Starting at US$3,500! Mesa 1 launches new desktop metal 3D printing
Recently, US startup Studio 3e8 launched the desktop metal 3D printer Mesa 1, planned to launch a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign on December 1, with a starting price of US$3,500. The device has a built-in sintering furnace, requires no laser or traditional binder, and uses dual-material powder deposition technology to manufacture metal parts through coordinated printing and sintering with dual nozzles.
—— Frontier Technology ——
Korea develops high-strength, tough 3D-printed alloy that withstands -196°C to 600°C
Recently, a research team at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) in South Korea developed a high-performance metal alloy that maintains high strength and ductility in environments from -196°C to 600°C. The material uses the precipitate network structure and interface characteristics formed during the 3D printing process and can be prepared without additional post-heat treatment. The related results were published online in Nature Materials on November 2.
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