The Soluble 3D Printing Material Market is expected to grow from US$1.411 billion in 2025 to US$3.082 billion in 2030, at a CAGR of 16.92%.
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.
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. 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. The AquaSys 180 thermoplastic is marketed as one of the world's first extrudable thermoplastics with a water-soluble, co-continuous, microporous morphology. 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.
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.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
| Report Metric | Details |
| Soluble 3D Printing Material Market Size in 2025 | US$1.411 billion |
| Soluble 3D Printing Material Market Size in 2030 | US$3.082 billion |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 16.92% |
| Study Period | 2020 to 2030 |
| Historical Data | 2020 to 2023 |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 – 2030 |
| Forecast Unit (Value) | USD Billion |
| Segmentation |
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| Geographical Segmentation | North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific |
| List of Major Companies in the Soluble 3D Printing Material Market |
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| Customization Scope | Free report customization with purchase |
Segmentation