A new report by Additive Manufacturing Research (AM Research) highlights a growing opportunity for 3D printing technology in data centre infrastructure, with penetration rates for additive manufacturing (AM) expected to rise significantly through 2033.
The study, titled “AM for Data Centres: a 3D Printing Market Opportunity,” examines the increasing global demand for data centers and how AM can play a role in addressing critical supply chain and thermal management challenges.
According to AM Research, as data centers expand—particularly hyperscale data centers with over 5,000 servers—there will be heightened demand for efficient heating and cooling solutions, an area where AM could provide unique advantages.
The report suggests that up to 2,000 powder bed fusion (PBF) machines could be required to manufacture essential components such as cold plates by 2033, even at conservative market penetration rates.
This figure surpasses the number of PBF machines currently sold annually across the entire AM market. The study also acknowledges the likelihood of other AM processes contributing to data center component production.
AM Research indicates that the ability of AM to alleviate supply chain uncertainties, particularly in the face of regulatory and geopolitical pressures, positions it as a key technology in the next-generation thermal management hardware required for expanding data center capacity.
The report provides proprietary market data, penetration forecasts, and insights derived from extensive research and industry interviews.
Among the companies and organisations mentioned in the study are Alfa Laval, Asetek, Conflux Technology, DeepSeek, Fabric8Labs, Schneider Electric, Vertiv, OpenAI, Amazon, and GE Vernova.
The findings are aimed at executives developing 3D printing market strategies and investors evaluating opportunities in the AM sector.
AM Research said it offers additional consulting and due diligence services for those seeking further insights into the evolving role of AM in data center development.
