3D Printing Trends in 2016

One of the top technology trends in 2016 is 3D printing. With innovation ranging from applications in the healthcare sector to manufacturing and even aerospace, the 3D printing market is indeed a growing one that investors should be taking note of. A report from International Data Corporation (IDC) indicated that the market is projected to reach $35.4 billion in 2020.
In an email to INN, Simon Fried, Co-Founder of Nano Dimension (TASE:NNDM), offers insight into his thoughts on 2016 and discusses the following:

• How accurate his 2016 predictions were
• What the main themes were
• What the most electrifying news was

Stay tuned for our next article on 3D printing in 2017 and beyond, where we predict companies to look out for and give the lowdown on metal 3D printing.
Read on to see what Fried had to say.

INN: Were your predictions for 2016 correct?
SF: Broadly speaking this year has unfolded as expected, with the significant entry of Carbon3D and HP making waves throughout the polymer printing industry. We have also seen several systems that strive to move the needle on the speed and scale of printing such as EnvisionTec and Stratasys (w. Siemens) and Massivit all demonstrating different approaches to ‘more is more’.
INN: Were there any surprises/curveballs that affected your industry, that the market was not expecting?
SF: There were many new entrants at all levels across the sector, new systems from Prodways, Roland, Ricoh, Fives/Michelin and many others. Nothing on its own was particularly surprising but the breadth and scale of the expansion of systems and players is testimony to this AM wave swelling.
INN: What do you think was the biggest news in the 3D printing market?
SF: Without a doubt the most electrifying news of the 3D year was the move by GE. By making acquisitions in the metal sector GE has broken the mold. A manufacturer has invested in the means of production rather than the more anticipated technologies by the likes of 3D Systems and Stratasys. This set the markets on fire with speculation and boosted confidence across the 3D sector.
Investors with foresight will keep these companies and events in mind. The past always informs the future and that is never truer than when it comes to investing.
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Securities Disclosure: I, Emma Harwood, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article. 
Editorial Disclosure: Nano Dimension is a client of the Investing News Network. This article is not paid-for content. 
The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.