3D Electronics: A New Frontier of Product Differentiation, Thinks IDTechEx

(IN BRIEF) While electronics have significantly advanced in speed, size, and capability, the form factor—mainly consisting of components on circuit boards in a box—remains largely unchanged. The growing demand for faster, smaller, and more capable devices presents a significant opportunity for product designers to align human-machine interfaces with real-world applications, including 3D, flexible, and stretchable electronics. The 3D electronics market is forecasted to reach $4.3 billion by 2034, driven by the development of 3D printing technologies such as In-mold Electronics (IME). IME, an evolution of the in-mold decorating process, allows for the embedding of conductive traces and components in thermoformed 3D parts. While still in the early stages of adoption, IME is expected to see widespread use in automotive applications by 2027-2028. IDTechEx’s research also highlights the potential for IME to reduce the volume and weight of components, as well as the advantages in power efficiency and design flexibility. As product designers often focus on internal components, 3D electronics offer an untapped opportunity for differentiation, particularly in industries like automotive, consumer goods, and industrial applications.

(PRESS RELEASE) CAMBRIDGE, 8-Jan-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Electronic capability has improved in every way, bar one: the form factor of electronics today still mostly consists of components on circuit boards packaged in a box.

The race to faster, smaller and more capable devices leaves an open opportunity for product designers: matching the human machine interfaces of electronics to the real world, whether 3D, flexible or stretchable.

A $4.3bn 3D electronics market opportunity

3D electronics is ironically a relatively old ‘embryonic’ technology. The IDTechEx report “3D Electronics/Additive Electronics 2024-2034: Technologies, Players, and Markets” forecasts the opportunity being $4.3 Billion in 2034, from a humble start of 3D printed antennas and capacitive touch switches.

In the report, IDTechEx assesses many different manufacturing technologies that are at different points of maturity and which can be used to create 3D electronics.

One such technology is In-mold electronics (IME), where conductive traces are printed and components mounted prior to thermoforming the flat substrate into a 3D part.

IME – leveraging a mature manufacturing technology

The IME manufacturing process can be regarded as an extension of the well-established in-mold decorating (IMD) process, in which thermoforming plastic with a decorative coating is converted to a 3D component via injection molding. Since IME is an evolution of an existing technique, much of the existing process knowledge and equipment can be reused, although there is a reasonable learning curve.

IME outlook

Based on interviews with leading IME developers, the analyst-curated IDTechEx report “In-Mold Electronics 2025-2035: Forecasts, Technologies, Markets”, reports that IME is still a few years away from widespread adoption, but the manufacturing ecosystem is largely in place. The next few years will be a moment of truth for the commercialization of the technology.

In January 2025 there are still only a handful of commercial product examples (such as a smoke/CO detector, smart lock, and controls on an industrial oven) that companies are willing to discuss publicly.

IME is being commercialized in a few consumer and industrial products ahead of what is anticipated to be the bigger mid-term opportunity: IME adoption in the automotive sector.

IME sees the light?

The initial focus was on IME parts to replace mechanical switches with capacitive switches, particularly for automotive (dashboard switches). However, this came at a time where discrete switches in cars were being transitioned by a number of car makers to controls via touch screen displays instead.

IDTechEx CEO Raghu Das, lead author of this report, advises: “The past few years has seen a ramp-up of activity for IME with embedded lighting for interior lighting in vehicles. The main benefits that appeal to the automotive sector is the physical volume reduction and weight reduction, with one company interviewed by IDTechEx citing that they found that the thinnest they could achieve the functionality with conventional parts was 28mm, but with IME they could reduce that to just 8mm. Further, unlike edge-lit diffused LED lighting panels, IME parts with embedded lighting do not have a bezel because the LEDs can be positioned closer to the light output, and therefore the LED count can be reduced. This means that the panel also requires less power while still meeting the application requirements.”

According to companies which IDTechEx interviewed for the report, IME is currently being assessed for a number of automotive applications, and if successful these may see adoption around 2027/2028.

Based on the latest forecast model by IDTechEx, which has tracked the sector for over six years, the IME market (a subset of 3D electronics), is expected to have a value of $974 million in 2035.

An opportunity unrecognized by product designers?

3D electronics could enable an exceptional point of differentiation, if only it was seen as such rather than the competitive focus usually being on what is behind the surface, not on it. It’s an open opportunity for a product designer to take the lead.

To find out more about this IDTechEx report, including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/3DElec.

For the full portfolio of 3D printing market research available from IDTechEx, please see www.IDTechEx.com/Research/3D.

About IDTechEx

IDTechEx provides trusted independent research on emerging technologies and their markets. Since 1999, we have been helping our clients to understand new technologies, their supply chains, market requirements, opportunities and forecasts.

For more information, contact research@IDTechEx.com or visit www.IDTechEx.com.

Media contact:

Charlotte Martin
Subscriptions Marketing Manager
press@IDTechEx.com
+44(0)1223 812300

FAQs

1. What is the 3D electronics market? The 3D electronics market refers to the development and use of electronics that are designed in three dimensions, rather than the traditional two-dimensional components mounted on circuit boards. This includes technologies like 3D printing, flexible, stretchable, and in-mold electronics, which are used to create more integrated and efficient products.

2. What is In-mold Electronics (IME)? In-mold Electronics (IME) is a manufacturing process where conductive traces are printed, and components are mounted onto a flat substrate before thermoforming the substrate into a 3D part. It is an evolution of the in-mold decorating (IMD) process, which is commonly used in the automotive and consumer electronics industries.

3. How does IME benefit the automotive sector? IME offers several advantages for the automotive industry, particularly in reducing physical volume and weight. For example, IME can reduce the thickness of components from 28mm to just 8mm, allowing for thinner, more efficient parts. Additionally, IME can embed lighting into components, reducing power usage and eliminating the need for bezels, making it an ideal solution for interior lighting in vehicles.

4. When is IME expected to see widespread adoption? While IME is still in its early stages of commercialization, it is expected to be more widely adopted in the automotive sector around 2027-2028, with a growing market value projected to reach $974 million by 2035.

5. What industries could benefit from 3D electronics? Industries such as automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial products can benefit from 3D electronics, particularly in creating more efficient, lightweight, and customizable designs. This technology also provides product designers with opportunities to differentiate their products through innovative human-machine interfaces and features.

6. How will 3D electronics change the design of future devices? 3D electronics will enable product designers to create more compact, flexible, and energy-efficient devices with better integration and fewer parts. This could lead to innovations in various consumer and industrial products, making them more adaptable and environmentally friendly.

7. What are the key advantages of 3D electronics over traditional electronics? 3D electronics provide several benefits, including reduced size, weight, and power consumption, as well as the ability to embed multiple functions within a single component. They also offer greater design flexibility, enabling more innovative and user-friendly products.

8. How will 3D electronics contribute to sustainability? By reducing the volume and weight of components and improving power efficiency, 3D electronics help to make devices more sustainable. Additionally, the use of advanced manufacturing techniques like IME can lower material waste and contribute to cleaner, more environmentally friendly products.

9. Where can I learn more about 3D electronics research and developments? For more in-depth research on 3D electronics, including the latest forecasts, trends, and technologies, visit www.IDTechEx.com or access their market research portfolio.

SOURCE: IDTechEx