The Christmas Special: TOP 25 most important events of 2025 in the AM Industry
3DP War Journal #77
The year 2025 was a period of intense change. It can be said that everything I - and several other industry analysts - warned about in 2023–2024 ultimately materialized in full force.
Everyone who was supposed to fall - fell. Everyone who was supposed to grow - grew. But there were also a few surprises along the way.
We witnessed several truly unexpected consolidations, returns to the public markets, and further funding rounds. Taken together, these events created a mix that is impossible to ignore.
It was not a calm year, but after a period marked by violent shifts and uncertainty, it appears that the AM industry is finally beginning to find a more stable course. After strong shocks, when many companies were balancing on the edge of survival, the market is gradually settling down and entering a phase of greater predictability.
As last year, I decided to prepare a summary of this year’s events. The list includes 25 events - I tried to be as objective as possible and to focus on events that had the greatest impact on the market.
I adopted the criterion of systemic impact on market structure rather than media visibility. I concluded that bankruptcies, exits of major players from the industry, consolidations, and large funding rounds are what truly reshape the balance of power.
That is why you won’t find new product launches here (with two exception - but one established new record in crowdfunding and the other involved as many as five machines in a single year!)
So here it is - my original, subjective TOP 25 list of events in the global AM industry in 2025…
But wait!
Before we move on to the summary, I would like to wish all Readers a peaceful and joyful Christmas.
May this time be an opportunity to catch your breath after an intense year, to reflect, and to gain some distance from the everyday challenges of the AM industry.
I wish you good health, inspiring conversations around the holiday table, and the energy to take on new projects in the coming year. Thank you for your presence, trust, and for following the changes in the world of 3D printing together.
#25 - MakeGood launched Open-Source 3D-printed Mobility Trainer for Toddlers
The U.S.-based non-profit organization MakeGood presented an open-source design for a mobility trainer for young children, fully printable on a low-cost 3D printer. The project is publicly available and aimed at the maker community and aid organizations. In my view, it is the spiritual and technological successor to the legendary e-Nable project, which more than a decade ago became one of the symbols of grassroots 3D printing.
#24 - Aniwaa announced closure
Aniwaa - a French comparison platform for 3D printers and 3D printing technologies - announced the end of its operations. For years, the service had been one of the main sources of market data for users and companies. The closure resulted from financial difficulties and limited monetization opportunities.
#23 - 3D Systems closed Systemic Bio
3D Systems shut down Systemic Bio, a subsidiary operating in the field of bioprinting and biological research. The decision was part of portfolio streamlining and cost reduction efforts. The closure highlighted the limitations of commercializing bioprinting in the short term. It was also a significant internal event for the 3D Systems group, signaling a shift in strategic priorities.
#22 - Airtech Advanced Materials Group revived Kimya
Airtech Advanced Materials Group brought the Kimya brand back to life - a filament manufacturer that was unexpectedly shut down during last year’s Formnext 2024. The revival included restarting production and further developing the portfolio of filaments and pellets.
#21 - Jabil out of filament business
Jabil quietly exited the 3D printing filament business. Its portfolio of “selected engineering assets” was acquired by the newly formed company Lumas Polymers, founded by Luke Rodgers, former Senior Director of R&D at Jabil.
#20 - SprintRay Inc. acquired the dental portfolio of EnvisionTEC
SprintRay acquired the entire dental portfolio of EnvisionTEC, consolidating its position in the digital dentistry segment. The transaction included 3D printers, materials, and numerous patents. The sale of EnvisionTEC’s assets was the result of a liquidation process carried out by Nano Dimension following the bankruptcy of Desktop Metal, which owned EnvisionTEC (yup - it was so complicated).
#19 - Pac-Dent acquired Ackuretta
Pac-Dent acquired Ackuretta, a manufacturer of dental 3D printers specializing in resin-based technologies. The transaction strengthened Pac-Dent’s position in the digital dentistry market by expanding its hardware portfolio and technological capabilities. The acquisition also enabled tighter integration between materials, printers, and clinical workflows. Ackuretta, known for its compact systems used in dental clinics and labs, became part of Pac-Dent’s broader strategy to build an end-to-end ecosystem for additive manufacturing in dentistry.
#18 - Caracol secured $40M in Series B
Caracol closed another funding round worth $40 million to support the further development of large-format industrial 3D printing. The company focuses on automating composite and metal production using robotic arms. The capital will also support international expansion and product development. The round strengthened Caracol’s position as one of the key European startups in the LFAM segment.
#17 - GKN Powder Metallurgy and GKN Automotive acquired by AAM in $1.44 billion deal
American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) acquired GKN Powder Metallurgy and GKN Automotive in a $1.44 billion transaction. The acquisition also included activities related to powder metallurgy and additive manufacturing technologies. It was one of the largest deals in 2025 involving companies with AM competencies.
#16 - 6K Additive went public on ASX on the Australian Stock Exchange
6K Additive debuted on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), raising capital to expand its metal powder production. The company specializes in sustainable methods of manufacturing materials for 3D printing. The IPO was moderate in scale but significant for the AM materials segment. The debut confirmed capital market interest in companies focused on the supply chain rather than printer systems themselves.
#15 - Snapmaker’s U1 3D printer set new Kickstarter record
Snapmaker unveiled a new multicolor 3D printer model - the U1 - while simultaneously setting a Kickstarter record in the 3D printing category. The company raised $20,161,265 from 20,206 backers worldwide, making it the third-highest-funded campaign in the platform’s history. Although the printer has not yet launched in open sales, it has generated enormous interest among both users and investors. A few weeks earlier, Snapmaker announced tens of millions of dollars in additional funding from several Chinese VC firms.
#14 - Zellerfeld built strong hype for 3D printing shoes and announced several collaborations with major brands
Zellerfeld has been intensively building the narrative around 3D-printed footwear, announcing numerous collaborations with global fashion brands throughout 2025. The company presented a vision of production without molds, warehouses, or traditional supply chains. Media campaigns and industry events made Zellerfeld one of the most recognizable AM brands outside the industrial sector.
#13 - Quantum acquired BCN3D’s assets after its bankruptcy
Mid-year, Spain’s BCN3D announced bankruptcy - an event significant in its own right. Shortly afterward, Quantum acquired selected assets of the company, including intellectual property and technological resources. The revived entity even appeared at Formnext 2025, where it presented new solutions.
#12 - Anzu Partners has acquired ExOne GmbH and voxeljet AG, combining them into one company
Anzu Partners acquired ExOne GmbH and voxeljet AG, merging both entities into a single organization. The transaction involved two key players in the binder jetting and large-format sand printing segments. The goal was to create a stronger, integrated entity capable of further technological and commercial development. This consolidation was another case - following EnvisionTEC - of Nano Dimension selling off Desktop Metal assets.
#11 - Velo3D returned to the public market
Velo3D returned to the public market after earlier financial difficulties and a deep restructuring process. The company focused on rebuilding investor confidence and stabilizing its operational activities. The return was an important signal for the metal 3D printing segment, demonstrating that despite severe financial distress, survival is still possible even for some of the most compromised businesses.
#10 - Carbon secured $60M funding, eyes IPO in 12–24 months
Carbon raised $60 million in new funding while simultaneously communicating plans for a potential IPO within the next 12–24 months. The funds are intended to support the development of DLS technology, market expansion, and financial stabilization. The IPO announcement brought Carbon back to the center of market narratives after a period of limited communication and resulting speculation about the company’s financial condition.
#9 - Divergent secured $290 million in Series E funding
Divergent closed a $290 million Series E funding round. The capital was allocated to the development of a manufacturing platform based on metal 3D printing and automated assembly. Known for projects in the automotive and defense sectors, the company strengthened its position as one of the best-funded AM players. The round was one of the largest single investments in the industry in 2025.
#8 - Stratasys secured $120M funding from an Israeli Investment Fund
Stratasys raised $120 million in funding from the Israeli private equity fund Fortissimo Capital. The funds were allocated to strengthening the balance sheet, further acquisitions, and the development of key technologies. The transaction signaled investor confidence in the company’s long-term strategy despite challenging market conditions.
#7 - Stratasys has acquired key assets of Forward AM and Nexa3D
With the newly secured funds, Stratasys acquired key assets of Forward AM as well as assets of Nexa3D, significantly expanding its materials and technology portfolio. The transactions included intellectual property, selected product lines, and strategic resources. These acquisitions aligned with Stratasys’ long-term market consolidation strategy and its ambition to strengthen its position as a provider of comprehensive AM solutions. It was one of the most important - although quite surprising - consolidation events in the industry in 2025.
#6 - Arburg left the AM industry
The German injection molding leader Arburg announced the end of its activities in additive manufacturing, including the development and sale of systems based on the Freeformer platform. The company decided to refocus on its core business related to plastics processing. Arburg’s exit from AM closed a chapter of experimentation by large machine manufacturers in the 3D printing segment and was perceived as another example of the limited profitability of niche AM platforms.
#5 - TRUMPF also left the AM industry
TRUMPF officially announced its exit from the 3D printing market, ending its long-standing presence in additive manufacturing technologies. The decision covered both system development and further commercial engagement. The company pointed to a change in strategic priorities and a renewed focus on its core areas of activity.
#4 - Dyndrite revolutionises metal 3D printing
Dyndrite definitively revolutionized metal 3D printing from a software perspective. Through strategic partnerships with market leaders such as EOS, nLIGHT, and Ansys, its software delivers unprecedented process control, automation, and precision. These integrations—validated by end customers like Ursa Major - double print speeds, reduce waste, and shorten qualification cycles, opening a new chapter in industrial additive manufacturing.
#3 - Bambu Lab presented five new 3D printers and establishes its position as a leader in global 3D printing
In 2025, Bambu Lab unveiled as many as five new 3D printers, each available in multiple hardware configurations. It began in March with the long-awaited H2D, which - besides dual print heads and a larger build volume - also introduced laser engraving and plotting capabilities. The real offensive, however, took place between August and November, when the H2D Pro and H2S (August), P2S (October), and H2C (November) were launched. These releases firmly cemented the company’s position as the leader in the desktop 3D printing market.
#2 - Creality has filed for an IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
Creality filed preliminary documents related to a planned IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Known for mass-producing desktop 3D printers, the company aims to raise capital for further international expansion and portfolio development. The IPO is intended to cover both the consumer and prosumer segments. It represents the first attempt by a major desktop-focused company to go public, and its outcome will undoubtedly serve as a benchmark for the entire industry.
#1 - Desktop Metal bankruptcy
After months of speculation, Desktop Metal announced bankruptcy, bringing a completely unsuccessful restructuring process to an end. This was the result of an aggressive acquisition strategy and an overly rapid entry into the public markets. The company, once expected to become one of the pillars of industrial metal 3D printing, was unable to maintain profitability amid high operating costs and negligible demand. The bankruptcy covered key subsidiaries and intellectual property, which became the subject of further transactions.
Desktop Metal’s collapse became one of the most symbolic events in the industry, heralding the end of the third era of 3D printing market development.