While searching the internet for new and interesting 3D printing information, I came across this article by Caitlin Orosz, written for BLACKSMITH Applications that really peaked my interest. As I continue to learn just how diverse 3D printing has become and how it is being utilized by many big name manufacturers, I wanted to share some excerpts from that article with you.
"The market for 3D printed food is expected to reach $425 million by 2025. This is a niche and innovative process and it gives food makers the opportunity to explore customization of their mass-produced, commoditized products. The process excites food manufacturers, chefs and consumers because it’s able to create complex food products quickly and inexpensively.
According to Deloitte Insights, there are benefits of edible additive manufacturing:
- Product differentiation & innovation
- Customization
- Direct-to-consumer relationships
3D printing will revolutionize food products, and the market for 3D printers is driven by the need for customization with time savings. With the technology, it will be easier to customize ingredients and nutrients, minimize chemical additives, and advance sustainability in food.
“The technology is sound enough to be a game changer in the industry,” says The Culinary Institute of America’s Communications Director, Stephan Hengst.
How Companies & Brands are Using 3D Printing Today
Kate Sullivan, owner of Cake Power in NYC, uses 3D printers to make specialized chocolate molds. “The results have been really great,” she said, adding she’s in the early stages of exploring the technology’s potential.
And the approach isn’t just for specialty chefs. Powerhouse brands are printing as well:
- PepsiCo uses 3D food printing to create plastic prototypes of different shaped and colored potato chips.
- Hershey scientists use 3D printing for uniquely designed candy. “We can print anything that you can print with a plastic printer in chocolate,” says Hershey’s tech marketing exec Jeff Mundt.
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Barilla sponsored a contest to create a 3D printed pasta.
- Barilla, the leading Italian pasta manufacturer teamed up with TNO, a Dutch scientific research firm to develop a 3D printer capable of printing a variety of differently shaped pasta, enabling customers to 3D print their own CAD files with different pasta designs quickly and easily.
- Oreo has uses 3D printers to create cookies with customized creme patterns and flavors. The brand unveiled a 3D social cookie experience at SXSW, demonstrating that the phenomenon can absolutely draw a crowd.
- CSM Bakery Solutions and 3D Systems Corporation are working together on the development, sale and distribution of 3D printers, products and materials for the food industry. Customized chocolate and cakes are the largest segments of the printed food market and are expected to see the most significant growth.
- AlgaVia, a company from San Francisco, California has utilized microalgae to develop a protein powder with desired attributes: non-allergenic, gluten-free, high source of dietary fiber."
With the growing, multifaceted applications of 3D printing, I look forward in amazement as to what the future holds for this fascinating industry. I hope that you enjoyed the excerpts from this article as much as I did. The possibilities for 3D printing technology are endless!