3D Printing's Medical Surge: Why Custom Implants Are Reshaping Global Healthcare

The 3D printing industry is witnessing a transformative shift in the medical sector, driven by increasing demand for patient-specific implants, surgical tools, and prosthetics. Companies specializing in additive manufacturing are reporting robust revenue growth, with key players like Materialise NV (NASDAQ: MTLS) and the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Company (NAMI) in Saudi Arabia leading the charge. These advancements are supported by a growing market for 3D printing gases, which are critical for maintaining sterility and precision in medical-grade production.

Materialise, a Belgian firm renowned for its 3D printing software and medical solutions, reported a record quarterly revenue of €33.3 million ($38.8 million) for Q3 2025, marking a 10.3% year-over-year increase in its Medical segment, according to 3DPrint.com. The division, which includes personalized implants and surgical planning tools, now accounts for half of the company's total revenue. CEO Brigitte de Vet-Veithen attributed this growth to the rising adoption of 3D-printed healthcare solutions, particularly in orthopedics and dental applications. Despite challenges in the broader industrial 3D printing market, the 3DPrint.com article noted the company maintained profitability, posting a positive net profit of €1.8 million ($2 million) for the quarter.

The expansion of 3D printing in healthcare is further fueled by the global 3D printing gases market, which is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 6.5% from 2025 to 2030. Inert gases like argon, nitrogen, and helium are essential for creating controlled environments during printing, ensuring high precision and sterility in medical components, according to a Grand View Research report. The healthcare segment alone is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.3%, driven by the need for customized implants and bioprinting technologies. This trend is particularly pronounced in Asia Pacific, where countries like China and India are rapidly adopting 3D printing for medical applications under national industrialization initiatives.

In Saudi Arabia, NAMI-a joint venture between 3D Systems and local partners-recently achieved three critical milestones in the aerospace and defense sectors, according to 3D ADEPT. The company secured a $26 million contract with Modern Isotopes Factory to produce tungsten core components for non-destructive testing devices, replacing traditional uranium-based parts. Additionally, NAMI partnered with Saudi Electric Company to integrate 3D printing into energy infrastructure workflows and collaborated with Lockheed Martin to manufacture critical aerospace components in the region. These developments underscore Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goal of building a diversified industrial base and positioning itself as a global hub for advanced manufacturing.

Materialise further solidified its market position by announcing an additional listing on Euronext Brussels in November 2025, complementing its existing Nasdaq listing, according to FinancialContent. The move aims to broaden its investor base and enhance liquidity, reflecting the company's strategic focus on financial flexibility amid a maturing 3D printing industry. The listing coincides with a proposed $30 million share buyback program, signaling confidence in long-term growth despite a 22% year-to-date decline in its stock price. Analysts note that the dual-listing strategy positions Materialise to compete more effectively with rivals like 3D Systems and Stratasys, particularly in capital-intensive expansion efforts.

As the medical 3D printing market evolves, challenges such as high gas costs and regulatory hurdles persist. However, the sector's resilience is evident in companies' ability to innovate while maintaining profitability. With healthcare providers increasingly prioritizing personalized medicine and on-demand manufacturing, the integration of 3D printing into clinical workflows is expected to accelerate, further cementing the technology's role in modern healthcare.