The UAE’s leading additive manufacturing company, Immensa Technology Labs, has predicted the country’s 3D-printing sector to rapidly accelerate after forecasting it to reach $599m by 2025.

The forecast for the industry was recently established after the company, represented by its CEO and Founder Fahmi Al Shawwa, met with HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation.

Following the meeting, Immensa anticipates that the sector will add $2.9bn to the UAE’s GDP in 2028, contributing to over 1% of the GDP and inducing it with around 3% of the 3D-printing global market share.

The meeting with The Dubai Crown Prince was organised by the Dubai Future Foundation as part of the 3D Printing Strategic Alliance launch, which the first initiative of its kind to create a comprehensive network of government entities, academia, and international and local 3D-printing companies.

Commenting on the forecast, Al Shawwa said: “The meeting and the level of dialogue with His Highness were priceless. This is what differentiates Dubai from other places: its leadership continuously meets with business leaders and companies from different industries to discuss details of what is needed to boost economic activity and UAE’s position on the global map across several fronts.”

He added: “Today, the UAE boasts the widest range of concrete 3D printers in the world and is the only country in the GCC with a private sector that owns and operates metal 3D printing systems.

“Moreover, the country has the largest number of industrial 3D printers in the entire Middle East that produce mechanical and industrial parts. Immensa’s Digital Warehouse Solution is the only regionally developed inventory digitisation service and is currently adopted by both private and public sector organisations in the UAE.”