The Current Situation Of Korean 3D Printing Market

As the fourth largest economy in Asia, South Korea's economic strength is no doubt, there are some of the world's leading enterprises in the country, such as Samsung, Hyundai, LG and so on, but also in the leading position in the industry. But in the global growth timber manufacturing market, South Korea's influence is of little importance, it is believed that the lack of investment and human resources restricts the development potential of the China 3D printing company.

According to the Korea Institute of science and technology information data, in 2015 the country increasing material manufacturing industry value of 82 billion won (about 496 million yuan, $75 million), is expected to exceed 116 billion won this year (702 million yuan). But from a global perspective, according to Wohlers report data in 2016, 2015 global growth timber manufacturing industry value of $5 billion 165 million, the share accounted for only 1.45% of South korea. But most of this number comes from the contribution of small and medium sized companies. In Korea, 3D printing related companies in 72% annual sales of less than 5 billion won ($4 million 500 thousand), and 3/4 of the average number of employees was 50.

It is understood that some experts believe that South Korea, lack of the country's increasing material manufacturing industry is mainly due to the smaller volume of software investment. "Due to the relatively late, at present, South Korea is still in the initial stage of 3D printing market." The founding of the University (Kunkuk University) Professor, 4 South Korean Industrial Technology Management Association President Lim Chai-sung said: "the two core factors of material manufactured by software and materials, manufacturing 3D printer is very simple, but the software development requires a lot of effort and investment."

However, the country also some areas are making full use of the advantages of 3D printing, such as the medical department, has been introducing some additional material manufacturing technology to promote the surgical techniques, including 3D printing operation guide and medical implants.

The South Korean government support for the application of 3D printing in medical field is also very obvious, government officials have been exploring the rapid Approval Measures on 3D printing of medical equipment. In May this year, the Korea food and drug safety department officials announced that they are working on, allow medical instrument manufactured by 3D printer in the government for final approval before the possibility of limited use, and is expected in November this year before changing the rules. The official said: "this is for those who the physiological or pathological characteristics based on no patient other treatments available, there will be a great help."

In addition, at the end of last month, the South Korean Government R & D also issued a great range of tax incentives to encourage 3D printing and other fields, to allow small and medium-sized enterprises can be R & D costs 30% as a tax deduction.

These measures have a positive effect in South Korea in recent years the number of operation: the use of 3D printing technology aided rapid increase. For example, in June this year, South Korean doctors completed the first foot bone implant 3D printing. But South Korea is the world's first approved 3D printing skull implants for medical countries, in addition to the Ulsan National Institute of science and technology has also developed a new technology, 3D can print out the object than the thin red blood cell.

In addition to the medical field, South Korea also take steps to promote the 3D printing technology application in other areas such as automotive and shipbuilding industries. Earlier this year, the South Korean government has also announced a five year plan to invest $20 million to the study of ship and marine industrial equipment manufacturing and 3D printing 3D. In 2014, South Korea 3D Printing Association, whose members include KT, Naver, SK, Stratasys, 3D, Systems, telecom, and many small and medium enterprises. The group hopes to 2020 10 million in the domestic training industry experts and will enhance the global market share to 15%. But some people are skeptical. "The main problem now is to support the lack of human resources and government." Lim said: "the government should first clear the problems and puts forward solutions."

South Korea is currently the main 3D printer manufacturers including InssTek, Carima and ROKIT etc.. InssTek was founded in 2001, is the country's first material manufacturing enterprises and the growth of metal, patented in the United States, Japan and Chinese. Recently, InssTek metal 3D printer has appeared on the market in europe. Carima is a plastic material 3D printer manufacturer based in this area also has a history of 15 years, the company has its patented ultra high speed C-CAT technology. ROKIT is South Korea's 3D printing market developed very fast in the bright younger generation.