Key Takeaways
- Event: AM Investment Strategies 2026 – free, 1‑hour webinar, Nov 5, 12 p.m. ET
- Host: Additive Manufacturing Research & Cantor Fitzgerald (6th annual roundtable)
- Panel: 4 senior AM executives + 2 market analysts
- Focus: 2025‑2026 market dynamics, growth hot‑spots, and investment signals ahead of Formnext 2026 (Nov 17‑19, Frankfurt)
- Data Highlights:
- Metal AM in aerospace ≈ $4.2 B in 2023, 12 % CAGR to 2028
- Polymer AM in medical ≈ $2.8 B in 2023, 15 % CAGR to 2028
- Consumer‑focused polymer AM ≈ $1.5 B in 2023, 10 % CAGR to 2028
- Takeaway for investors: Prioritize firms with proven cost‑reduction roadmaps, scalable production lines, and diversified end‑market exposure.
Overview of the Upcoming Webinar
What the Session Covers
The AM Investment Strategies 2026 roundtable will dissect the most pressing questions facing additive‑manufacturing (AM) leaders as the industry heads into the final quarter of 2025 and beyond:
- Demand hot‑spots – Which sectors are delivering the strongest order books?
- Revenue pipelines – How are companies positioning new technologies for commercial scale?
- Investor radar – What metrics separate “growth‑ready” players from speculative bets?
The discussion is timed to precede Formnext 2026, the premier European showcase for metal‑ and polymer‑based AM. Executives will use the webinar to preview product launches, partnership announcements, and supply‑chain strategies that will dominate the Frankfurt floor.
Who Should Attend
- C‑level executives (CEO, CFO, CTO) evaluating AM portfolio allocations
- Venture capital & private‑equity partners tracking series‑A/B/C rounds in the sector
- Corporate procurement leaders seeking to benchmark supplier capabilities
- Analysts & consultants covering industrial automation, aerospace, med‑tech, and consumer goods
Market Segments in Focus
| Segment | 2023 Revenue (US$ bn) | Projected 2028 Revenue (US$ bn) | CAGR (2023‑28) | Primary Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense (Metal AM) | 4.2 | 7.5 | 12 % | Weight‑critical parts, fleet‑modernisation, supply‑chain resilience |
| Medical & Dental (Polymer AM) | 2.8 | 5.6 | 15 % | Patient‑specific implants, rapid prototyping for regulatory submissions |
| Consumer & Lifestyle (Polymer AM) | 1.5 | 2.5 | 10 % | Customizable accessories, low‑volume fashion runs, on‑demand fulfilment |
Source: Gartner 2024 Additive Manufacturing Forecast; corroborated by AM Research market‑size survey (Q3 2024).
Why Cost‑Structure and Scale Matter
Despite robust top‑line growth, the AM sector still wrestles with unit‑cost parity against traditional subtractive processes. Executives at the webinar will outline three levers that are delivering measurable savings:
| Lever | Typical Impact | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Process‑automation (robotic part‑handling, AI‑driven build‑plan optimisation) | 8‑12 % reduction in labor & scrap | EOS Mach 2 system reports 10 % lower build‑time per part |
| Material‑recycling loops (powder reuse, closed‑loop polymer extrusion) | 5‑9 % cut in material spend | GE Additive’s “Zero‑Waste” program recovers 92 % of Ti‑6Al‑4V powder |
| High‑volume production cells (parallel SLM or DLP lines) | 15‑20 % lower amortisation per unit | Desktop Metal’s “Production‑Scale” cell achieves 200 % throughput vs legacy single‑laser setups |
Investors are increasingly demanding proof points for each lever, often via KPIs such as Cost‑per‑Part (CPP), Yield %, and Time‑to‑Market (TTM).
Anticipated Announcements at Formnext 2026
- Multi‑laser SLM platforms targeting 30 % faster build rates (e.g., SLM Solutions X‑Series)
- Hybrid AM‑CNC systems that combine additive deposition with 5‑axis milling in a single work envelope (DMG Mori‑Series)
- Bio‑compatible polymer cartridges with FDA‑cleared Class II status for dental crowns (Carbon M2‑Dental)
These innovations will likely be referenced during the webinar as real‑world examples of how technology adoption translates into revenue upside.
Bottom Line
The AM Investment Strategies 2026 roundtable offers a rare, data‑driven glimpse into where additive‑manufacturing capital is flowing just weeks before Formnext 2026. With aerospace metal AM projected to hit $7.5 B by 2028 and medical polymer AM outpacing it at a 15 % CAGR, the sector’s growth story is clear—but only for companies that can prove cost‑efficiency, scalable production, and diversified market exposure. Register now to hear the executives who are shaping those outcomes and to benchmark your own investment thesis against the industry’s most credible forecasts.
