The current survey by VDMA shows an improved business situation and predominantly stable to positive expectations for the coming years. At the same time, costs, technological advancement, and the industrial implementation of additive manufacturing remain central topics in the industry.
The additive manufacturing industry is showing a generally more stable condition in autumn 2026 compared to previous years. "The results of the autumn survey indicate that the situation for many companies has improved. However, it would be premature to speak of a fundamental turnaround in trends. Companies are cautiously assessing their current situation but still see good prospects for the development of additive manufacturing in the coming years," explains Dr. Markus Heering, Managing Director of the Additive Manufacturing Working Group at VDMA. The working group brings together manufacturers and users along the entire additive value chain. The member companies work with various additive manufacturing processes and different materials, applying them for series products, prototypes, assembly aids, and other applications.
The business development of the past twelve months is significantly better than in previous years. Only 15 percent of the surveyed companies report declining revenues, while 64 percent record a positive development. In comparison, in the autumn of 2025, 29 percent of companies reported declining revenues, while only 45 percent reported growth. This trend of improvement continues, which was already evident in the spring survey of 2026.
Positive expectations, but no spirit of departure.
Positive expectations prevail for the further development of the German additive manufacturing market. In the coming twelve months, 40 percent of companies expect an increasing market demand, while 53 percent anticipate stable development.
Only 6 percent expect a decline. Even looking ahead two years, the
Overall mood is predominantly positive: 67 percent expect market growth, while 28 percent anticipate stable development.
Compared to spring, expectations have hardly changed. The positive
The basic mood remains unchanged.
International markets remain important.
Companies predominantly expect a stable or growing export business. For the coming twelve months, 52 percent anticipate increasing export revenues, while 39 percent expect no change in development. Over a two-year horizon, 63 percent expect rising foreign sales. At the same time, only a small minority expresses declining expectations.
The European Union remains the most important sales market with 73 percent of mentions.
In addition, the USA continues to play a central role in the international business of the industry with 71 percent. At the same time, Asian markets are gaining importance. China, in particular, is mentioned significantly more often as a relevant export market than in previous surveys. International competition remains intense. Notably, the growing significance of American competitors stands out.
Companies are sticking to investments.
Despite a still challenging economic environment, companies' investment plans remain stable. For the coming twelve months, 72 percent of respondents plan to maintain their investments in additive manufacturing. An additional 22 percent expect to increase their investments, while only 7 percent intend to reduce their spending. Thus, companies continue to rely on the technological advancement of their activities in the field of additive manufacturing, despite ongoing economic uncertainties.
The companies cite the most important positive influencing factors on their own business as
new applications (53 percent), technological developments (51 percent) as well as new
Markets (42 percent). Research and development, as well as the
Development of additional foreign markets.
Technology development and industrialization in focus
In the most important future topics for the industry, technology development ranks highest (61).
percentage), costs (57 percent), process stability and reproducibility (50 percent),
Series production (48 percent), new applications (46 percent), as well as market acceptance (43 percent)
Percentage) in the foreground.
In the application fields, mechanical engineering is less frequently mentioned by the respondents as
the dominant application area mentioned as still in earlier surveys. More widespread are
Additive manufacturing processes, on the other hand, are particularly important in aerospace and medical technology.
"The survey shows that additive manufacturing is further solidifying its position as an industrial technology."
"Decisive now will be to economically expand new applications and to further exploit the potential of the technology in industrial practice," summarizes Heering.
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