“Our member companies continue to demonstrate remarkable stability and adaptability in a changing market environment,” explains Dr Markus Heering, managing director of the VDMA Additive Manufacturing Working Group. The working group's spring 2025 survey shows that the additive manufacturing industry remains optimistic despite some challenges. The survey was conducted until March 28, i.e. before the US tariffs were introduced. One result is that more companies reported positive sales than in the previous fall survey. Nevertheless, 34 % of companies reported declining sales for the last twelve months. In the past six months, however, the negative turnover of member companies was only 20 %. “We are therefore seeing a slight trend towards more positive business,” explains Dr Heering. 

Optimism remains at a high level and has even increased further in the last six months. Looking ahead to the next 24 months, 77 % of respondents expect growth in the domestic market. In terms of exports, 64 % of our member companies expect an increase over the next 24 months – in contrast to 58 % in the fall survey last year.

The EU-27 is the most important export region for almost 70 % of member companies, followed by the US (64 %) and European non-EU countries (29 %). “We are observing the great importance of the USA as an export market. The future will show how exports to the US will change in the future,” explains the managing director of the working group.

The most relevant competitors come from China and the USA. Almost half of the member companies have Chinese additive manufacturing competitors, while 43 % see themselves in competition with American additive manufacturing providers. “We are even seeing a slight increase here compared to the previous survey. Competition from China is becoming more and more noticeable,” Dr Heering sums up.

Despite the generally difficult economic situation, many companies want to invest more again. Next year, 40 % plan to spend more money on investments. The most positive effect on the additive manufacturing business will come from technological developments (60 %), followed by new applications and new markets. One in five companies also hopes that research and development activities will provide positive impetus in the current year.