3D Printing boosts the economy---consensus of experts agree

3D printing is poised to disrupt $4 to 6 trillion (USD) of the current global economy over the next five to 10 years. This is the segment of the existing economy that has greatest potential to be redistributed across the globe.

The global manufacturing sector is valued at approximately $12 trillion, which accounts for design, production, and distribution of all global goods. There are five key industries that have the greatest potential to be transformed by 3D printing: Heavy Industry, Automotive, Consumer Products, Healthcare and Medical, and Aerospace. These five industries are estimated to account for 76% of the global manufacturing sector, totaling $9 trillion per year of total output. Based on results of a survey by industry experts, 23% to 40% of parts in these industries will be manufactured by 3D printing in the next five to 10 years, meaning $2 to $3 trillion of the global manufacturing sector will likely be impacted by 3D printing in the next five to 10 years.

In addition, assuming a macro-economic multiplier effect to be 1.8 globally, 3D printing will disrupt $4 to 6 trillion of the global economy

Example: United States opportunity for economic value

The US economy is expected to grow by $600 to 900 B per year in the next 5 to 10 years if they capitalize on 3D printing. The US imports approximately $3 trillion in goods annually. $1.4 trillion of imports are made up of 5 leading industries impacted by 3D printing: Industrials, Automotive, Consumer Products, Healthcare & Medical, and Aerospace. Based on a survey of industry experts, approximately 24 to 40% of parts in these industries will be manufactured by 3D printing in the next 5 to 10 years. This means that for the US, $300 to 500B of what is currently imported, could be manufactured within the US using 3D printing, driving increase in revenue generated within the US. 4, 28, 49, 53, 83, 91, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101

Additionally, in the US for example, every $1 added to the manufacturing sector, generates a $1.8 increase in the total economy due to a cascade of effects of growth in the manufacturing sector, known as the Macroeconomic Multiplier Effect. The effect includes growth in service industries and infrastructure. If $300 to 500B new revenue in manufacturing is generated by the US, the total economic value is $600 to 900B.94

Ninety-six percent of the experts from the same survey believe that 3D printing has potential to move manufacturing closer to consumers. (A.T. Kearney Analysis & Survey results)