China: China’s 3D printing sector enters new development phase as it moves out of labs.

Shotlist Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, northwest China - Recent 1. Aerial shot of factory 2. Interior of factory 3. Machine in operation 4. Various of 3D printed aircraft model 5. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Xue Lei,3D printing company employee (ending with shots 6-8): "In recent years, the mass application of additive manufacturing (also called 3D printing) has increased significantly, gradually expanding from aerospace and high-end equipment to industrial fields including robotics and consumer electronics. Thanks to higher equipment efficiency and lower material costs, 3D printing will further transform the industrial manufacturing landscape, playing a crucial role as a basic industrial machine tool." FILE: China - Exact Location and Date Unknown 6. Various of 3D printed turbojet engine components 7. Various of 3D printing device, robotic arm; autonomous vehicles moving FILE: Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, south China - Date Unknown 8. Various of 3D printers FILE: China - Exact Location and Date Unknown 9. Various of people working; computer screens 10. 3D printing device in operation 11. Various of people working in factory; production line 12. Various of 3D printing device in operation 13. Various of 3D printing device on shelves; customs officers Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, south China - Recent 14. Various of interior of factory; 3D printing device in operation China - Recent 15. Various of visitors at 3D printing store, printers, products on display Storyline Driven by technological advancements, rising exports and expanding application scenarios, China's 3D printing sector is entering a new phase of rapid development, as it transits from laboratories to industrial production lines and goes on mass consumer markets in a faster pace. China's 3D printing sector registered rapid expansion in the first four months of 2026, with the production of 3D printing devices growing by 50.9 percent year on year, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed. In the past, 3D printing was mainly used for prototype verification and small-batch trial production. However, higher printing efficiency, better material performance and equipment stability, and lower production costs allow the industry to leap towards large-scale mass production. "In recent years, the mass application of additive manufacturing (also called 3D printing) has increased significantly, gradually expanding from aerospace and high-end equipment to industrial fields including robotics and consumer electronics. Thanks to higher equipment efficiency and lower material costs, 3D printing will further transform the industrial manufacturing landscape, playing a crucial role as a basic industrial machine tool," said Xue Lei, an employee of a 3D printing company in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi province. Beyond technological breakthroughs, the rapid growth in exports of consumer-grade 3D printing devices is also driving the overall output increase. Data show that from January to April, China exported 2.46 million units of 3D printing equipment, up 100.3 percent year on year. Chinese companies have so far produced about 90 percent of consumer-grade 3D printers globally. Experts say as the digital transformation of manufacturing accelerates and demand for personalized customization grows, the application boundaries of 3D printing continue to widen. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]