August 22, 2026 — Citing customs data from CCTV Finance, export value of China's industrial-grade metal 3D printing equipment grew 76% year-on-year in the first half of 2026, with Europe and Southeast Asia together accounting for 87% of total export value. For the first time in history, overseas orders surpassed domestic orders. A Suzhou-based equipment maker reported that overseas orders now represent nearly 60% of its backlog, with customers spanning the Middle East, Central Asia, and Europe. Domestic equipment delivery cycles are about one month—significantly shorter than the three-plus months typical of foreign competitors. These systems use laser-based point-by-point powder bed fusion to print metal parts, enabling integrated manufacturing of components for aerospace, medical, automotive, and robotics applications—such as a robot thigh printed in one to two days. Implications for powder buyers: ① The surge in equipment exports directly drives upstream demand for metal powders and consumables; export-oriented equipment makers demand higher consistency in powder grades and batch stability. ② Overseas orders surpassing domestic marks a new phase in the globalization of China's metal AM supply chain, creating opportunities for powder supply and localized stocking in export markets like Europe and Southeast Asia. ③ The delivery cycle advantage (~1 month) is becoming a key differentiator for domestic equipment, requiring powder suppliers to match with fast turnaround and rapid qualification capabilities.