On August 22, 2026, the Forward Industry Research Institute (IIM) released a report projecting the global advanced metal 3D printing materials market to reach $4.87 billion in 2026 (up from $3.62 billion in 2025), representing a year-on-year growth of 34.5%. Titanium alloy powder leads the market at $1.94 billion, accounting for 39.8% of the total, followed by nickel-based superalloy powder at $1.12 billion, aluminum alloy powder at $0.96 billion, and stainless steel powder at $0.63 billion. For the first time, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to surpass North America as the largest consumer market, reaching $1.79 billion (+41.2% YoY), with China contributing 68% of the region's shipments. Aerospace and medical implants together account for 62% of metal powder consumption, while the energy sector is the fastest-growing segment at +52.3%. On the process side, plasma atomization and radio-frequency plasma spheroidization are projected to account for 44% of production capacity in 2026, gradually replacing gas atomization. Patents related to highly reflective metal powders (pure copper/tungsten) grew by 87% between 2025 and 2026. Key takeaways for powder buyers: ① The Asia-Pacific region, particularly China, has emerged as the largest consumer market, amplifying the localization advantages of domestic powder suppliers; ② Titanium alloy powder remains the largest category, but energy-sector demand (+52.3%) and highly reflective metal powders (pure copper/tungsten) represent the fastest-growing niches worth early investment; ③ As plasma atomization and RF plasma spheroidization capacity continues to rise, stakeholders should monitor shifts in the supply landscape of high-end spherical powders during this process-upgrade window.