Ten short years ago 3D printing was almost the exclusive remit of rapid prototyping. Nobody was putting 3D printing into mass production back then.

Two of the leading names in thermoplastic filament manufacturing have formed a powerful partnership, hoping to play an essential role in the industry. There are now over 300,000 thermoplastic extrusion printers in the world, with a total annual filament market of $250m in 2015.

In anticipation of 3D Printing USA 2015, IDTechEx Technology Analyst, Rachel Gordon, interviewed the founder of Divergent Microfactories, Kevin Czinger, about his company and their 3D printed supercar, The Blade, which will be exhibited next week at the Santa Clara Convention Centre.

Jetting binder on layers of plastic powder was originally developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1993. This binder-on-powder process was the first to be known as 3D Printing technology.

IDTechEx 3D printing research has focussed on materials requirements for several years now, and this allows us to bring together some of the most knowledgeable people to talk about the state of the industry, new developments and future innovations across the whole spectrum of 3D Printing Materials.

Thought leaders IDTechEx were among the first to identify three new megatrends in the world of technology: Structural Electronics (SE); 3D Printed Electronics (3DPE); Energy Independent Electric Vehicles (EIVs).

The 3D printing industry is still going from strength to strength. According to the IDTechEx report 3D Printing 2015-2025: Technologies, Markets, Players this industry is set to grow from $1bn in 2012 to $20bn in 2025.

A new wave of printers targeting printed circuit boards are enabling rapid, local prototyping while protecting company IP, finds IDTechEx Research.

Plastic 3D printing has its place in prototyping and education, but 3D printing in metal is being used to manufacture parts in a wide variety of industries. Metals are the fastest-growing segment of 3D printing, with printer sales growing at 48% and material sales growing at 32%, according to the brand new IDTechEx report 3D Printing of Metals 2015-2025.

In 2012 a tsunami of media hype began around consumer 3D printing that turned a lacklustre 30-year-old technology into a household name and created massive growth in the industry even among large established players.

The 3D printing industry continues to go from strength to strength. So much so that, depending upon your definition of "robot", half of the market value for industrial robotics will be robots working as 3D printers by 2026.

Consumer goods giant, Procter & Gamble, has today announced they are pursuing 3D bioprinting.

Each year IDTechEx recognises and rewards outstanding achievement of those involved in the rapidly growing industries they cover. For the first time, IDTechEx are including 3D Printing Europe Awards, which were announced at IDTechEx Show! on 28th April in Berlin.

Since the commercialization of the first 3D printer in the 1980s, the breadth of end users taking advantage of this technology has continued to grow.

"Eventually 3D printing will print people," according to Will.i.am, the music producer, rapper and entrepreneur. "I'm not saying I agree with it, I'm just saying what's fact based on plausible growth in technology." How true is this? And how close are we? At IDTechEx, we take pride in cutting through the hype, to reveal what is actually possible and where the real opportunities lie.

IDTechEx is excited to announce the agenda for 3D Printing Europe 2015. After months of planning, we are ready to launch our fantastic speaker programme.

Since the first consumer-level 3D printers came on the scene six years ago their sales have grown substantially

At the start, there was no generic name. The simple glass of the car windshield started to incorporate printed antennas and heaters. It was what we now know as "structural electronics" - one structure performing mechanical, electrical and other functions.

The 3D printing industry is enormously diverse with printers ranging from the smallest $350 home 3D printers to the largest $1.5m industrial machines.

3D printing has come of age; the total market surpassed $1bn in revenues during 2012 and growth is expected to continue throughout all target sectors to reach $20bn by 2025.