When Formnext opens its doors in Frankfurt this November, the event will showcase how the additive manufacturing (AM) industry has matured globally.Among the 850+ exhibitors gathering at this premier AM event, 145 companies from Asia will present their latest innovations and technologies.This significant presence offers an interesting window into how Asian manufacturers are developing their capabilities and approaching different market segments.A Closer Look at Asian ParticipationThe numbers paint an interesting picture of Asian involvement in global AM.
Chinese companies make up the largest contingent with 101 exhibitors, while Japan brings 20 companies and Korea 14, complemented by participants from India, Taiwan, and Singapore.But beyond these numbers lies a more nuanced story of how different regions are approaching AM technology development.Chinese manufacturers are demonstrating growing capabilities in metal 3D printing systems and materials.EPlus3D’s recent production of a 1.3-meter single-piece rocket thruster shows how far these capabilities have come.
Companies like Bright Laser Technologies are expanding their industrial AM systems portfolio, while materials manufacturers such as CNPC POWDER are developing specialized metal powders for demanding applications.In the polymer sector, firms including Creality and ELEGOO continue to make AM technology more accessible while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with consumer and professional systems.Japanese participants are taking a characteristically focused approach.Companies like Asahi Kasei and DAICEL are concentrating on developing high-performance materials, while JEOL and Mitsui Mining & Smelting bring their expertise to bear on specialized manufacturing processes.
This focus on precision and quality reflects Japan’s traditional manufacturing strengths, now adapted for the AM industry.Korean manufacturers are carving out their own space, particularly in specialized applications.InssTek‘s development of the Clogged Vibration Method for metal printing addresses specific technical challenges in multi-material manufacturing.Meanwhile, companies such as Graphy and CARIMA are making significant strides in medical and dental applications, areas where Korean manufacturers have built substantial expertise.Image Courtesy: Formnext Asia ShenzhenMarket Dynamics and Technology DevelopmentRecent visitor data from Formnext shows strong interest in research and development, mechanical engineering, and automotive applications.
Asian manufacturers are aligning their offerings with these market demands, but each region brings its own approach.Chinese companies often emphasize comprehensive product lines and scalability, while Japanese manufacturers focus on precision and reliability.Korean companies tend to target specific technical challenges and applications.The development of metal AM capabilities particularly stands out.
Asian manufacturers are increasingly focused on industrial applications, with growing emphasis on quality control and standardization.This evolution reflects broader changes in the global AM landscape, where the focus has shifted from prototyping to production applications.The Path ForwardThe AM industry continues to evolve, with manufacturers worldwide contributing to its development.Asian companies are playing an increasingly important role in this evolution, bringing new approaches and capabilities to the market.
Their presence at Formnext 2024 reflects not just growing participation in the global AM industry, but also the development of distinct technological approaches and market strategies.As the industry matures, success will continue to depend on fundamental factors: technical capability, application development, and customer support.The diversity of approaches seen among Asian manufacturers – from broad market coverage to specialized solutions – adds to the industry’s overall development and provides users with more options for their specific needs.Formnext 2024 offers an opportunity to see these developments firsthand and understand how different manufacturers are approaching the challenges and opportunities in additive manufacturing.As the industry continues to grow, this diversity of approaches and solutions will likely prove crucial to its continued development and adoption across various sectors.AppendixChinese Exhibitors at Formnext 2024Company NameLocationCategoryKey Solutions/ProductsInnovation Mark3DMakerpro (Shenzhen Jimyida)12.1, B11Desktop SystemsConsumer 3D printers✓Acc Material Technology12.0, E41MaterialsMetal powders✓Akribis Systems Shanghai11.1, B41ComponentsMotion control systems✓AMC Powders11.0, F31MaterialsMetal powdersAnisoprint 3D12.1, C11Industrial SystemsComposite printers✓Anycubic12.1, F129Desktop SystemsLCD/resin printersAVIMETAL11.0, D21MaterialsMetal powdersBright Laser Technologies12.0, D41Industrial SystemsMetal AM systems✓Carman Haas Laser12.0, A139Industrial SystemsLaser systems✓CFSYS12.1, B41MaterialsCarbon fiber solutionsCISRI HIPEX11.0, D21ResearchAM research & development✓CNPC POWDER12.0, B42MaterialsMetal powders✓Creality12.1, C02Desktop/IndustrialFDM/resin printers✓Creatbot12.1, B81Desktop SystemsIndustrial FDMELEGOO12.1, F01Desktop SystemsLCD printers✓eSUN11.1, B29MaterialsFilaments/resinsFastForm 3D12.0, A70Industrial SystemsMetal systemsFriend Machinery11.1, E66Industrial SystemsManufacturing equipmentGoofoo Technology12.1, F19Desktop Systems3D printersGrinm Additive Manufacturing12.0, A53Industrial SystemsMetal AM solutions✓Guangdong Shunde Ultralline12.1, G110Industrial SystemsLarge format systems✓Guangdong Silver Age Sci & Tech11.1, A59MaterialsAdvanced materials✓Guangdong SinterZone Tech12.0, A78Industrial SystemsSintering solutions✓Guangzhou Seal Laser11.0, A62Industrial SystemsLaser systems✓HBD12.0, E71Industrial SystemsUnited 3D Tech solutionsHangzhou Polyful12.1, A139MaterialsAdvanced materialsHANGZHOU XINGGUAN12.0, A66MaterialsNew materialsHenan Yuanyang Powder12.0, A64MaterialsMetal powdersHLPOWDER12.0, A113MaterialsMetal powdersIEMAI3D & iSANMATE11.1, B59Desktop SystemsConsumer/pro printersShanghai Digital Manufacturing11.0, A68Industrial SystemsDigital solutions✓Shanghai Hangrui Advanced Materials12.0, B25MaterialsAdvanced materials✓Shenzhen Addireen Technologies11.0, C61Industrial SystemsAM solutions✓Shenzhen Adventure Technology11.1, F55ComponentsAM componentsShenzhen BIQU Innovation12.1, G11Desktop Systems3D printersShenzhen CBD Technology12.1, G09Desktop SystemsConsumer printersShenzhen Han’s Scanner12.0, D48ComponentsScanning systems✓Shenzhen Jiexinhua Technology11.1, E42ComponentsAM componentsShenzhen Mingda Technology11.1, A31Desktop Systems3D printersShenzhen PengJi11.1, F14ComponentsElectronics✓Shenzhen Piocreat 3D12.1, C02Desktop Systems3D printers✓Shenzhen Titan International12.1, A50Industrial SystemsAM solutions✓Shenzhen TwoTrees12.1, B40Desktop Systems3D printers✓Xi’an Sino-Euro Materials11.0, F59MaterialsAdvanced materials✓Stardust Technology12.0, A114MaterialsSpecialty materials✓Superior Intelligent Manufacturing12.0, A93Industrial SystemsSmart manufacturing✓SuZhou AmPro11.0, A61Industrial SystemsAM solutionsSuzhou Aorita New Material12.1, A107MaterialsNew materialsSUZHOU FEELTEK LASER12.0, A35Industrial SystemsLaser technology✓Suzhou Pollypolymer12.1, A03MaterialsPolymer materials✓Suzhou Tianhong Laser12.0, B62Industrial SystemsLaser systems✓Beijing Tiertime12.1, B09Desktop/Industrial3D printersTipro International12.0, B98ComponentsAM componentsTPM 3D Printing11.0, D51Industrial SystemsAM solutions✓Union Technology11.0, C41Industrial SystemsAM systemsVilory Advanced Materials11.0, C67MaterialsAdvanced materials✓Voxeldance Technology12.0, C22SoftwareAM software✓Wanhua Chemical12.1, A41MaterialsChemical solutions✓Wuhan Easymade12.0, A101Industrial SystemsAM solutions✓Wuhu R3D Technology11.1, B61Desktop Systems3D printersWUXI ALIZ 3D11.1, F65Desktop Systems3D printersXinxiang Filters12.0, A89ComponentsFiltration systemsYangZhong DNR12.1, G44ComponentsElectric systems✓Guangdong Youhui12.0, A83Industrial SystemsAM solutions✓Zhejiang Flashforge12.1, F69Desktop Systems3D printersZhejiang Top Environmental11.0, D59Industrial SystemsEnvironmental solutions✓Zhengzhou Chaokuo12.1, C20ComponentsElectronic componentsZhuhai Sailner 3D12.1, G136Desktop Systems3D printersZHUHAI SUNLU11.1, F29Materials3D printing materialsZhuhai Zongheng 3D12.1, A59Desktop Systems3D printersZrapid Technologies11.1, C29Industrial SystemsRapid prototyping✓Japanese Exhibitors at Formnext 2024Company NameLocationCategoryKey Solutions/ProductsInnovation MarkAsahi Kasei Corporation12.1, A05MaterialsEngineering plasticsAspect, Inc.12.1, A131SoftwareAM software solutionsAzuma Kinzoku Sangyo11.0, F21MaterialsMetal materialsDAICEL CORPORATION12.1, G121MaterialsSustainable materialsEPSON ATMIX Corporation12.0, E06MaterialsMetal powdersHONNY CHEMICALS11.0, F21MaterialsChemical solutionsHyogo Metal Belt Consortium11.0, F21Industry GroupMetal industry allianceHyogo Prefectural Institute11.0, F21ResearchTechnology researchJEOL Ltd.12.0, C59Industrial SystemsElectron beam systems✓JX ADVANCED METALS12.0, D19MaterialsHigh-performance metalsKimura Foundry11.0, B81Industrial SystemsMetal casting solutionsMitsui Mining & Smelting12.0, D01MaterialsMetal materialsNichia Corporation11.0, B75ComponentsLED/Laser components✓Okamoto Chemical12.1, A11MaterialsChemical solutionsRAISER MOON11.1, A15Industrial SystemsAM solutions✓Sanyo Special Steel11.0, C82MaterialsSpecial steel materialsShinhokoku Material11.0, F21MaterialsAdvanced materialsSINTOKOGIO11.1, D21Industrial SystemsPost-processingTKE Co.,Ltd.11.0, F57Industrial SystemsManufacturing solutionsToray Engineering12.1, F41Industrial SystemsProduction systemsKorean Exhibitors at Formnext 2024Company NameLocationCategoryKey Solutions/ProductsInnovation Mark3D Controls11.1, B11AutomationControl systems3D FUSION11.1, B11Industry GroupAM associationCARIMA11.1, B11Industrial SystemsDLP printers✓CARIMATEC11.1, F49Industrial SystemsAM systems✓EML (Eloi MateriaLs)11.0, D58MaterialsMetal materials✓Graphy Inc.11.1, C11MaterialsDental materials✓InssTek12.0, D98Industrial SystemsMetal AM systems✓Keumyong Machinery11.1, B11Industrial SystemsManufacturing systemsKLABS Inc.11.1, B46Industrial SystemsAM solutionsKOS GLOBAL11.1, B11Service ProviderAM services✓Lincsolution11.1, C21Industrial SystemsAM solutions✓LUGOlabs11.1, B11Industrial SystemsAM systemsMADDE INC.11.1, B11Industrial SystemsAM solutionsSeeAnn Solution11.1, B11SoftwareAM softwareCategories:Industrial Systems: Metal AM, Large format, Production systemsDesktop Systems: Consumer/prosumer printersMaterials: Powders, Filaments, Resins, ChemicalsComponents: Parts, Subsystems, ElectronicsSoftware: Control, Design, Process solutionsNotes:Innovation Mark (✓): Companies presenting new developmentsLocation: Hall and booth number at Formnext 2024Some companies may operate in multiple categories; primary focus listedSubscribe to Our Email NewsletterStay up-to-date on all the latest news from the 3D printing industry and receive information and offers from third party vendors.