Soluble 3D Printing Material Market Size, Share, Opportunities, COVID-19 Impact, And Trends By Type (HIPS, PVA, Others), By Color (Neutral, Black, White, Other), By Diameter (1.75mm, 2.85mm, 3mm), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2022 To 2027

The Soluble 3D Printing Material market was valued at US$646.122 million in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16.05% over the forecast period to reach a total market size of US$1,832.079 million by 2027.

In simple terms, soluble filaments are plastics that can be printed and are solid in normal conditions but dissolve away when immersed in a suitable substance. There are just two main chemical components to these filaments: high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Compared to ABS, HIPS filaments print at similar temperatures, are soluble in limonene, and are easy to print. Although water-soluble filaments are not the stars of the show, they are an essential component when printing highly complex 3D designs. In the sense that they serve only one purpose and accomplish their objective very well, they are considered specialist filaments. In case the users intend to print complex designs or models with long overhangs, they might begin learning how to print with water-soluble filament. Support structures are commonly created by using water-soluble filament.  In 2017, Connecticut University created a hydrogel that can support 3D printed bones. They were 3D bio-printed and completely water-soluble supports made of PVA, alginate, and hydroxyapatite used to repair skulls and treat fractures. Such developments will drive the market growth for the soluble 3D printing material market. 

Generally, polyvinyl alcohol, or PVA, makes water-soluble filaments. Despite being polar, PVA dissolves completely in water, even if it takes some time. Among its many uses are textile glazing, paper coating, and contact lens solutions. Moreover, it is non-toxic and biodegradable, which makes it suitable for a number of industrial uses.

Growth Factors:

• A constant focus on research and development as well as product launch

Soluble 3D printing material such as Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) acts as a support material to mitigate the curvature of steep angles, creating a surface onto which layers can be deposited. The water-soluble material can be removed by washing to leave the 3D printed object behind. Additionally, major players in the market are concentrating their efforts on launching new products, which is the main driving force of this market.  In February 2021, Struc3d released its desktop platform, which utilizes Ultimaker 3D printers to create water-soluble molds in custom manufacturing rubber parts. By injecting industrial-grade liquids into 3D-printed molds, the Inj3ctor Platform can design complex molds using Ultimaker's water-soluble PVA filament and 3D printing. In June 2021, the 3D printing materials provider Infinite Material Solutions introduced a new water-soluble filament, making it possible to create lightweight foam parts, like sponges. The AquaSys 180 thermoplastic is marketed as one of the world's first extrudable thermoplastics with a water-soluble, co-continuous, microporous morphology. Additionally, in November 2018, Kuraray launched a cutting-edge water-soluble support material for 3D printing called MowiflexTM, manufactured under the MowiflexTM brand. The biodegradable and water-soluble concept of MowiflexTM results in superior printability and solubility in cold water combined with a low moisture absorption rate. In this way, it becomes possible to print complex structures (even those with moving components) in one piece and at a high-quality, thanks to fused filament fabrication (FFF). E-Aquasol water-soluble resin was introduced by EnvisionTEC, developer of professional 3D printing solutions for Arkema's Sartomer business line, at Formnext 2019.  E-Aquasol resin is an ideal material for printing molds used in a broad range of industrial applications. EnvisionTEC's proprietary 3D printing platform combines water-soluble resin with its proprietary printing platform to allow industrial manufacturers to shell cast thin-walled parts with high-resolution features. As a result of these market developments and continuously launching new products, soluble 3D printing material will experience strong growth during the forecast period. 

Restraint

• High maintenance and durability

Material such as PVA dissolves in water, making it unsuitable for use as an independent filament. As long as there is moisture in the air, anything made with PVA will break down with time. PVA must be stored in an airtight container to remain effective for a long time. The fact that dual extruders are required to use soluble 3D printing material as a support material for other filaments is often glossed over when discussing its compatibility with other filaments. Two different filament types can be simultaneously used in dual extruder 3D printers. Support structures are not something that a printer with a single extruder can print because they are not made of the same material as the main project. Such factors may cause hindrance in the market growth. 

COVID-19 insight

Several manufacturing units of the end-users have slowed production in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, affecting the supply chain of 3D printing materials. As the markets affected by coronavirus are geographically located where it has the most impact, the 3D printing filament market, including the demand for soluble 3D materials, has been slightly impacted by the pandemic. The 3D printing filaments headquarters and principal subsidiaries are located in the areas highly impacted by coronaviruses, so the COVID-19 negatively impacted the soluble 3D printing material market supply chain as the demand was low and production slowed in many factories. A positive impact, however, has been caused by COVID-19's effect on 3D printing material markets since 3D printing is also used for medical purposes. 

Soluble 3D Printing Material Market Scope:

Segmentation

• By Type
  • HIPS
  • PVA
  • Others 
• By Color
  • Neutral
  • Black
  • White
  • Other
• By Diameter
  • 1.75mm
  • 2.85mm
  • 3mm
• By Geography
  • North America
    • United States
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • France
    • United Kingdom
    • Spain
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Israel
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Taiwan
    • Thailand
    • Indonesia
    • Japan
    • Others