1、epo.orgInnovation trends in additive manufacturingPatents in 3D printing technologiesSeptember 2023epo.orgINNOVATION TRENDS IN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURINGepo.org|02Foreword The rise of additive manufacturing(AM)more commonly known as 3D printing is one of the most fascinating developments of the Fourth I

2、ndustrial Revolution.Drawing on the most advanced digital technologies to craft objects of unmatched complexity in an ever-growing variety of materials ranging from concrete to living cells this revolutionary approach to manufacturing is quickly maturing from a niche market to a disruptive force imp

3、acting value chains in a wide range of sectors.As the patent office for Europe,the EPO is uniquely positioned to report on the scope and implications of this technology trend for Europes economy.We started to do so in 2020 with the first ever landscaping study on patents and AM,offering unique insig

4、hts into the fast growth of European patent applications in this field.Three years later,our new study takes a global perspective on the 3D printing revolution,using international patent data to highlight the latest developments in AM from around the world and the relative position of European indus

5、try in this fast-evolving field.Overall,the findings point to a world in which the pace of innovation in AM technologies has accelerated dramatically over the past years.Between 2013 and 2020,global patent filings in 3D printing technologies grew at an average annual rate of 26.3%nearly eight times

6、faster than for all technology fields as a whole!This trend is visible in sectors as diverse as health and medical technologies,transportation,energy and machine tooling,with increasing impact also in electronics,consumer goods,construction or food.The study reveals a technology leadership amongst c