France becomes the 2nd most innovative country in Europe in 3D printing and ranks 4th in the world

The study titled “Additive Manufacturing: Innovation Trends” reveals that between 2013 and 2020, the number of international patent families in 3D printing technologies grew at an average annual rate of 26,3%, which is almost eight times faster than for all technological fields during the same period (3,3%).

The 3D printing market has also diversified. While previously the main players were well-established engineering companies, today we are seeing the emergence of many start-ups and companies specializing in additive manufacturing. In total, more than 50.000 international patent families (FBI)[1] relating to 3D printing technologies have been filed worldwide since 2001.

For António Campinos, President of the EPO: “With this study we take a global perspective on the 3D printing revolution using international patent data to capture the scope and implications of this technological trend. Europe took four of the top ten places for research institutions for innovation in additive manufacturing. By rising to 2nd place on the European podium, France was able to illustrate its dynamism in terms of 3D printing, supported by public research institutes and companies at the cutting edge of technology. »

France 2nd in the European ranking, Germany remains in the lead

On a European scale, Germany is clearly in the lead, with 41% of the European share, followed by France and the United Kingdom, with respectively a 12% share of the FBI. In recent years, however, France has established itself in 2nd place on the European podium, with 431 FBI in 2020, while the number of FBI from the United Kingdom has stagnated at around 280 since 2018. Thus, - according to Wohlers Associates 2023 - of all additive manufacturing systems in the world, 3,4% are installed in France. Switzerland and the Netherlands are also making notable contributions to innovation in additive manufacturing, with more than 200 FBIs in 2020. Developments that illustrate the dynamics of innovation in the field of additive manufacturing.

France stands out in 3D printing applied to various sectors: such as aerospace, aeronautics and energy

After Germany, France ranks second in the European rankings in all additive manufacturing technology sectors, with the exception of digital, where it is roughly on par with the UK. France makes notable contributions in the aerospace and aeronautics sectors (7,1% of all FBI in these two areas), energy (6,8%), construction (6,4 .6,3%) and railways (XNUMX%).

Safran and Essilor at the forefront of French 3D printing industry

The study shows that U.S., European and Japanese companies are all among the top 20 patent filers in additive manufacturing, with the top three being General Electric, Raytheon Technologies and HP. Siemens, in fourth place, is the most important European player, with nearly 1.000 FBIs. As for French companies, Safran is in 12th place in this Top 20 with 338 FBI. The group particularly stands out in aerospace and aeronautics with 251 FBI, allowing it to reach 5th place in this field. 3D printing has also found remarkable uses in the field of ophthalmology, as evidenced by the large number of 85 FBIs from EssilorLuxottica, the Franco-Italian company, a recognized specialist in optical lenses[2] and which is placed 5th in the national ranking.

French public research, spearhead of 3D printing

Universities and public research organizations (OPR) contribute significantly to innovation in the field. Among the top ten universities, OPRs or hospitals, five are in the United States. But the undisputed leader is the German company Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, with 221 FBI.

In France, research stands out with the CNRS and the CEA, which respectively recorded 134 and 108 FBI, placing 5th and 6th in the world. The CNRS particularly excels in ceramics and glass alongside the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft in ceramics and glass and is a leader in cement, concrete and artificial stone. In the field of health, and more particularly artificial organs and tissues, INSERM is the only non-American institution with 20 FBI.

The growing and essential role of 3D printing in innovation

The EPO's research, based on patent data, offers insight into potential future uses of 3D printing. Because patents are filed months or even years before products appear on the market, patent information can indicate where technologies are headed. This report shows how 3D printing is essential to driving innovation and sustainable development in all sectors around the world. It follows the publication of the EPO's first report on patents and 3D printing in July 2020, which focused exclusively on European patents.

The additive manufacturing market has seen strong growth, with industry revenues tripling from $6 billion in 2016 to $18 billion (€16,17 billion) in 2022, according to estimates from Wohlers Associates . During the pandemic, 3D printing has played a vital role in the shift to local production, reducing reliance on international supply chains. According to projections, the market could exceed $50 billion by 2028.

He is moving the lines of 3D printing: Jacques Lewiner, French finalist for the 2018 European Inventor Prize

Jacques Lewiner, a French physicist, prolific inventor and entrepreneur, contributed with his inventions to the fields of electronics, medical sensors, security and telecommunications. He is the author of more than 500 patent applications worldwide and more than 70 granted European patents.

Jacques Lewiner notably founded in 2009, alongside Eric Careel and Clément Moreau Sculpteo, a 3D printing company which met with great commercial success and was acquired in 2019 by BASF 3D Printing Solutions, a subsidiary of BASF New Business GmbHExem .

[1] An FBI represents an important invention for which the patent applications filed cover at least two different countries.

[2] Please note that some major French patent applicants such as Airbus do not appear in the French ranking because its headquarters is in the Netherlands.