The 3D printing industry in Gujarat holds great potential, driven by the state’s strong manufacturing base and strategic location. With the growth of the “Make in India” initiative, demand for additive manufacturing (AM) has increased across industries like aerospace, defence, medical, automotive, and consumer applications. Gujarat is home to a rising number of 3D printer manufacturers, establishing itself as a key centre for AM technology in India. As the market expands, Gujarat can take the lead by leveraging government support, developing skilled talent, and setting certification standards that align with global practices.
Gujarat: A Land of Entrepreneurs
Gujarat has a strong entrepreneurial spirit and has produced business leaders such as Vikram Sarabhai, Dhirubhai Ambani, Gautam Adani, and Karsanbhai Patel, to name a few. It’s been said that there’s business in Gujarat’s air. Gujaratis don’t need to learn how to run a business. They’re leaders in adopting a new market wave being it an automobile production, semiconductor production, startup ecosystem, biotechnology mission, textile production, gem and jewelry production, oil and gas, ports and bridges, and many more. In AM technology, Gujarat has over 100 startups and several established companies working to strengthen the AM ecosystem. Today, Gujarat is producing items ranging from simple tools to airplane components using 3D printing. Key raw material suppliers like Vividmaker, Numakers, Duchofilla, and Dream Polymers supply much of India’s FDM materials. Additionally, companies such as STPL3D, Make3D, Go3D Innovation LLP, Shapet Induction, 3D Cubic, and Engineering Technique etc. manufacture 3D printers under the “Make in India” initiative, helping reduce reliance on foreign imports. Gatt3D has introduced Southeast Asia’s first DMP Flex 350 machine, a state-of-the-art Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) system, to deliver end-to-end solutions in metal 3D printing. “The aim of Gatt3D is to provide infrastructure for advanced manufacturing solutions to the people of Gujarat, furthering the legacy of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” said Mr. Pranav Gattani, Founder of Gatt3D. Make3D Surat is the leader in making “Made in India” 3D printers. Cubein is a renowned service provider specializing in industrial production through large-scale SLA (Stereolithography) techniques.
Medical 3D Printing Advancements
Gujarat is already a prominent hub for medical devices in India, with nearly three-fourths of the country’s orthopedic implant manufacturing companies located within the state. Medical 3D printing is an emerging field in India, offering customized solutions for complex cases in trauma care and chronic diseases. Leading companies in this sector include Jajal Medical, Orthotech, AMpire 3D Solutions, and Utesiya, etc. take care of fulfilment of the requirements. Jajal Medical has developed its proprietary medical segmentation software “My Segmenter” and is planning to expand into the virtual reality space. Orthotech, on the other hand, specializes in providing personalized 3D-printed titanium implants. According to Sushant Banerjee, Founder of Orthotech, “Medical 3D printing is still in its developing stage, and since human lives are at stake, the advancement in implant development must be approached with caution.” Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute (GCRI) has also made notable advancements, with Dr. Abhijeet Salunke’s team creating a myoelectric hand called the “Ahmedabad Hand” using 3D technology. This device allows amputees to perform actions by responding to brain signals and can carry weights up to 5 kg.
3D Printing in Jewelry Production
3D printing is well integrated in jewelry production, especially in Rajkot and Surat, which are known for casting jewelry. Vishwastratis LLP in Surat operates one of the largest 3D printing facilities in the jewelry sector. Rajkot has established a 3D printing centre under the GJEPC’s Common Facility Centre, benefiting local artisans and helping them speed up production.
3D Printing in Education
For education, PDEU is advancing AM learning with its metal 3D printing facilities, and NIT Surat is also contributing significantly. Ganpat University’s Additive Manufacturing Centre has been designated as a Centre of Excellence by the National Centre for Additive Manufacturing (NCAM) for the western region of India. Khodiyar CAD Centre, renowned for its software training, has significantly contributed to raising awareness and expanding the reach of 3D printing among students. IIT Gandhinagar hosts several notable startups driving Gujarat’s progress in the 3D printing sector. Among them is MiCoB, which is assisting the Indian Army in constructing facilities in remote areas where traditional construction methods are impractical.
Building Awareness and Overcoming Challenges
Despite the growing industry, the adoption of 3D printing in India remains around 17%, slower than in many Western countries. A lack of skilled manpower in the 3D printing domain persists, highlighting the need to include the subject in educational curricula. “Skilled manpower is the key concern for industries adopting 3D printing as a primary service,” said Ashish Kubavat, Senior Technical Engineer at Make3D. Government initiatives play a crucial role in bridging the gap between industry and academia, fostering growth in this transformative field. Shaurin Patel, MD-Vexma technologies notes, “A significant part of our work involves educating businesses about the practical benefits of 3D printing. While MNC executives are beginning to see the value of 3D printing in product development and production, awareness in Gujarat remains slower than in Southern India”. Vexma Technologies was the first company in Gujarat to bring HP’s MultiJet printing technology in-house, using it to serve industries like automotive, electronics, and medical devices. Meanwhile, Sahajanand Technologies Private Limited (STPL3D) offers a range of 3D printing machines developed indigenously, including FDM, SLA, SLS, and SLM technologies, under the “Make in India” initiative. STPL3D’s General Manager, Kuntesh Radadiya, emphasizes that “meeting international quality standards is essential for the growth of the AM sector in India. While demand is increasing, education, skill-building, and quality frameworks are necessary to further industry growth.” There are concerns about the quality and end usability of the product. Pranav emphasizes that that the 3D metal printed parts are as good as casted parts, in some cases they are at par with forged parts as well. 3D printing must be recognized as a mainstream production technology. To promote its adoption on a larger scale, it should be incentivized and subsidized by the local government. Over the next five years, Gujarat’s 3D printing industry is well-positioned to become a national leader, given its current dynamic landscape.
In Summary
Gujarat’s additive manufacturing landscape is developing rapidly, thanks to its strong industrial foundation, supportive policies, and culture of innovation. With ongoing efforts in skill development and government support, the state is well-positioned to integrate AM technology across sectors, offering ample opportunities for future growth and collaboration.
