By li, chen 
China’s 3D printing industry is ushering in a true “golden age of development.”
On May 26, CCTV News dedicated a nearly 6-minute special report to the current state of development in China’s 3D printing industry.
Data shows that in the first four months of this year, China’s production of 3D printing equipment increased by 50.9% year-on-year, while exports surged by 100.3% year-on-year. Chinese enterprises now command approximately 90% of the global market share for consumer-grade 3D printing equipment, signaling that the industry is entering a phase of rapid, high-volume growth.
Key Shifts in the Industry
- From Prototypes to Final Products: In the past, 3D printing was primarily used for prototype verification and small-batch trial production. Today, the industry is transitioning from “making samples” to “manufacturing products,” with accelerated applications in fields such as aerospace, high-end equipment, robotics, and consumer electronics.
- Consumer-Grade Exports Driving Growth: The rapid overseas expansion of consumer-grade equipment has become a major engine for industrial growth. Thanks to their cost-effectiveness and user-friendliness, Chinese brands are rapidly gaining popularity in international markets.
As standards, materials, and supply chains mature, 3D printing is moving from the laboratory to large-scale manufacturing—and gradually weaving its way into everyday life.