China's 15th Five-Year Plan 2026-2030: What It Means for Additive Manufacturing

China has approved its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), setting economic and industrial priorities through the end of the decade. Additive manufacturing features prominently as a strategic technology for the country's push toward advanced manufacturing and technological self-reliance.

Key Priorities for AM

• Advanced Materials — The plan prioritizes development of new materials including those used in additive manufacturing, from metals to polymers to composites.
• Industrial Software — Digital manufacturing and industrial software, critical for AM workflows, receives significant attention.
• Intelligent Manufacturing — Smart factories and automated production, where AM plays an increasing role.
• AI Integration — Artificial intelligence combined with manufacturing technologies.

Strategic Implications

The plan reflects China's ambition to become a global leader in technological innovation by 2030, not just in production but in defining technological standards. Additive manufacturing is seen as a key enabler of this goal.

For international AM companies, the plan signals both opportunity and intensified competition. China is expected to continue expanding its domestic AM capabilities while potentially creating regulatory environments that favor domestic firms.

The plan follows the earlier "Made in China 2025" initiative, which set ambitious targets for domestic manufacturing self-sufficiency. While those targets were not fully met, the 15th Five-Year Plan takes a more deployment-focused approach, emphasizing practical implementation.