Bangkok-based 3D Tech Asia has opened Southeast Asia’s largest additive manufacturing service bureau, offering metal and polymer printing services to customers across the region. The 5,000-square-meter facility houses 20 industrial 3D printers and provides end-to-end services from design consultation to post-processing and quality inspection.
The investment of 250 million baht reflects growing confidence in Thailand’s potential as a regional AM manufacturing hub. The country offers competitive labor costs, a strategic location for shipping to other Southeast Asian markets, and government incentives for advanced manufacturing investments.
“Many companies in Southeast Asia want to explore AM but can’t justify the capital investment in equipment,” explained CEO Somchai Prasert. “Our service bureau model allows them to access the technology on a pay-per-part basis, which is ideal for prototyping and low-volume production.”
3D Tech Asia’s customer base includes automotive suppliers, medical device manufacturers, and industrial equipment companies from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The company has also attracted clients from Japan and Korea seeking lower-cost alternatives to domestic service bureaus.
The facility offers a range of technologies including selective laser sintering for polymers, binder jetting for metals, and stereolithography for high-detail parts. Material options include engineering thermoplastics, aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium alloys.
Thailand’s government has identified additive manufacturing as a priority technology under its Thailand 4.0 economic development plan. Incentives include tax breaks for AM equipment purchases, research grants for universities developing AM applications, and support for workforce training programs.
The country’s strong automotive and electronics manufacturing base provides a ready market for AM services. Local universities including Chulalongkorn and King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology are establishing AM research centers and degree programs to develop skilled talent.
3D Tech Asia plans to open a second facility in Chonburi province near automotive manufacturing clusters by 2027. The company is also exploring franchising opportunities to expand to other Southeast Asian countries.
