Let's talk a little about 2024 and additive manufacturing.

Have You wondered how to describe 2024? It is definitely not clear-cut. One word, or even a sentence, is not enough. It was certainly another difficult year for some companies in the #additivemanufacturing sector and despite the continuous growth... Well, what about this growth? Are we really dealing with a sector that is still developing rapidly? Or is a verification coming, which will cleanse the entire industry and make the sector's potential real. Is the verification and a new, already adult period of development finally approaching? Today I would like to present my summary of the year and a brief analysis of the trends that have emerged. I would like to share my thoughts with You and wish You a wonderful 2025.

What about this growth...

Reading large and small market reports on #3Dprinting published in 2024, we may have the impression that everything is fine. Growth of 16-25% in a year is a brilliant result compared to other industries and the entire economy.? In my conversations with many market participants, I have a different impression. Not many boast about the growth of production, and quite the opposite... the constant decline in profitability, turnover or sales in general is what torments the management team. Sometimes I have the impression that the rhetoric about growth is part of a great belief in the unlimited potential of #additive #technology, and the growth itself results from the constant influx of fresh investors who invest millions in created dreams. Analyzing the market and individual companies, I am sure that organic growth is a better way to develop. If you are wondering about an example of such a company, look at #3DSystems... Even if they lose on the sale of devices - they gain on consumables, services and financial activities (including the resale of technological knowledge and fees for the use of patents) and come out at 0 with a small plus, but still on the surface. This is harmony, a balance that must be monitored and replicated.

The year in which the importance of #metal is once again growing and the faith in the use of polymers is falling

After the last #Formnext, I have the impression that everyone wants to print with metal. It does not matter whether they have used filaments or powder so far. Now, by adding mixtures based on a bonding material, they show that they can produce metal... Even in multi-stage, complex processes. All this in order to weave their business into the most promising market niche and ride this wave. For many, it was theoretically the easiest way to exist on the market, which stands out and shows real, but lower than estimated growth. However, I have the inescapable impression that such actions are also driven by the desire to attract more investors, because such an element arouses emotions, on which shares and stocks are being sold... And the overall value of the market increases. In my opinion, this is not a path that will have a positive effect in the long run, and I am even certain that such actions have a destructive effect on the entire industry...? And sometimes for companies that theoretically had a chance (#Velo3D). Probably nothing can be done about it...or maybe?

Beyond the content - Last week Velo3D was theoretically saved... By generating new shares that were bought by #ArrayAdditive...let's see…

Or maybe…a change of rhetoric in the world of 3D printing

A trend that emerged and made me very happy this year, especially since one of the main initiators was a man from Poland (Pawe? ?lusarczyk), is that we have finally started to make the discussion about the world of 3D printing more realistic. In recent years, most publications have created an idyllic image of the wonderful possibilities of technology, indicating how easy it is to become a billionaire by joining its ranks. The reality is different, the additive world is brutal - the entry threshold is still relatively low, but only those who have a plan broader than just "Good Product" have a chance of survival. Revealing bad decisions from the past, showing mistakes and their analysis appeared in a number of Pawe?'s publications, but it also triggered an avalanche of real texts from other Top Voices.? I loved reading the publications of Jan Homol, Gil Lavi and others who finally showed the real world and not just went with the flow that aroused interest. I am waiting for the next year and I eagerly await further analyses and I hope that maybe the world of 3D printing will finally learn from the mistakes it has made many times.

Declining importance of manufacturers from Europe, USA - increasing importance of China

I grew up in the additive world in the reality of a manufacturer of FFF/FDM devices - so I will start with that. 2024 changed the meaning of FDM - for many it had only one face Bambu LAB. Everyone printed on Bambu, fought with Bambu, compared themselves to Bambu, everywhere they were the topic of conversations and jealous sighs of these "old" manufacturers. After all, they did nothing extraordinary, apart from a different approach to changing the design of the kinetics, most of their functions were available earlier... but not used. For me, Bambu is brilliant... because it revealed the laziness of the entire industry, and additionally they showed the path that is the only one that gives success... of course, if someone noticed it. It is also no coincidence that in 2024, a group of companies from China became the largest in terms of capital and finance, a group in the additive world, the value of which at the peak was even determined at a level close to 10% of the value of the entire industry.? European and American manufacturers have something to fear, because it is not only laziness itself that is a problem, but also the impact of regulations, the form and facilities for #manufacturing companies and the geopolitical situation (related to wars and involvement in conflicts) can hinder development. This was shown by Fromnext and the problems of those who showed themselves from the best side 2 years ago (Velo3D, NEXA3D, in Poland Zoltrax, Sygnis). However, there is still an opportunity and it must be used... and it results from the differences in the level of after-sales service, which Chinese manufacturers are learning... but faster and faster... but they still fall far short of the expectations of European and American users.

And how is Meltio in Poland?

As some of You probably know, 2024 was my first year of cooperation with #Meltio. The company from Spain stole my heart in 2019 and working in this environment was my dream.? Meltio is not only brilliant technology, it is not only solid engineering foundations and a "young team of inventors" who push us forward every day. Meltio is a family from which you draw strength for everyday work. This year was the first in my life in which I was given the freedom to develop my own work method and use all my skills. I finally had the opportunity to show my good qualities and verify the accuracy of my decisions. It is not up to me to judge whether I succeeded, not all the goals set were achievable, but I have the feeling of a job well done, a solid platform built on which from now on you can only build upwards. Meltio is starting to be visible in Poland and the region. We already have 2 installations and another 5, which will be carried out in the first half of next year - FOR SURE. We have an active reseller (#3dPhoenix), whose great team shows faith in the possibility of launching the technology adaptation process and indicates that #Poland can be more additive... more Meltio!

For me, it was also an interesting and intensive time of daily publications and work based on various methodologies. Some of the publications reached several thousand views.? The newsletter already has over 800 subscribers and the LinkedIn profile itself is already followed by over 5,000 people. Thank you for that, because in today's world it is one of the most important elements of everyday work and development... maybe I will write a book about it someday. I believe that we will start the New Year with a bang. For me personally, new opportunities, new challenges are opening up. I will try to develop the market and projects even more, to use the potential that is in our region and Poland itself.?

2024 was a difficult year for many, 2025 will not be easier. There are many indications that the geopolitical situation will be no different... maybe the last quarter will bring a breakthrough, but more about that in another publication. I will undoubtedly remember 2024 as a breakthrough in rhetoric about the world of 3D printing, as a new stage of Meltio in Eastern Europe and Poland, as another year of a "soap opera" about the big ones and their fights, sometimes with the smaller ones, sometimes among themselves, sometimes internally (Nano Dimensions... wow??).? The industry is slowly but surely cleaning itself up, indicating that it is slowly emerging from the era of childishness and growing into an important part of the #future world. Will 2025 be a breakthrough……NO, but…

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Thank you and I wish you all the best for 2025!