DUBLIN — (BUSINESS WIRE) — August 14, 2014 — Research and Markets ( http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/hr2ptl/plastics_in_3d) has announced the addition of the "Plastics in 3D Printing Markets: A Ten-Year Opportunity Forecast" report to their offering.

The quantity and quality of plastic materials available for 3D printing systems are key determining factors in the number of 3D printer purchases. These materials include especially ABS and PLA, but also include acrylate resins, epoxy acrylate resins, and nylon powder materials.

Many 3D printer firms are racing to fill out their plastic material portfolios and are using them to create competitive advantages. At the same time, major materials companies are also starting to see 3D printing as a profitable niche market worth jumping into now, with the promise of large opportunities down the road.

This report analyzes all the key opportunities in the market for plastic materials used in 3D printing and how they are likely to change in the future.

Among the topics covered in the report are:

Novel plastics for 3D printing: This report assesses opportunities in newer plastic materials categories, including polycarbonate, polystyrene, TPU, PET, PBA, PVA, POM, alternative bio-based plastics, transparent materials, flexible materials, and nano-enhanced plastics.

Plastics as a source of competitive advantage for 3D printer firms: Many OEMs are looking plastic materials as source of substantial revenues over the next few years. This has led to 3D printing firms acquiring materials development companies. The future role of the OEMs as materials suppliers is critically examined in this report including the ways in which OEMs leverage their control over equipment design and distribution channels to secure material sales for their machines, as well as the role of proprietary materials and cartridges.

The future of supply chains for 3D printed plastics: We examine the future of current material supply chains for the key plastics used today in 3D printing.

Key Topics Covered:

Executive Summary

• Characterizing materials opportunities in AM plastics
• Assessment of current distribution channels
• Manufacturers hold on the plastics industry
• Independent materials companies making a mark
• Case studies in other material industries
• Establishing standards for materials forms and processing techniques
• Materials that work well with one another
• Price outlook for plastic materials
• Summary of ten-year market forecasts

Chapter One: Introduction

Chapter Two: ABS

• ABS supply chain
• Raw material inputs
• 1 Filament processing and alternative forms of material
• Current industry capacity
• Major players in ABS
• Different colors, chemicals, and consistency
• Not all ABS is equal
• Material interface with different consumer groups
• Ten-year market forecasts for ABS materials in AM

Chapter Three: PLA

• PLA supply chain
• Raw material inputs
• Current industry capacity
• Major players in PLA
• Benefits of PLA For certain consumer groups
• Green properties
• Manufacturer trade-offs: ABS only vs. ABS/PLA vs. PLA only
• Ten-year market forecasts for PLA materials in AM

Chapter Four: Resins

• Resin supply chain
• Raw Material Inputs
• Current industry capacity
• Major players in resin
• Are industrial resins relevant to personal printing resins?
• Opportunities in new resins
• Resins that react with alternative energy sources
• Pushing in the end part production
• Professional Applications of Resins
• Ten-year market forecasts for resin materials in AM