Chinese additive manufacturing giant BLT (Bright Laser Technologies) announced today the opening of its new 15,000-square-meter production facility in Shanghai’s Lingang Special Area. The facility will focus on large-format metal 3D printing systems targeting aerospace and automotive applications.

The new plant will manufacture BLT’s flagship S600 and S800 series metal powder bed fusion systems, which can build parts up to 600mm and 800mm in diameter respectively. According to company spokesperson Li Wei, the expansion comes in response to growing domestic demand from state-owned aerospace manufacturers and private electric vehicle companies.

“China’s aerospace sector is rapidly adopting metal AM for fuel nozzles, turbine blades, and structural brackets,” Li explained. “Our government’s Made in China 2025 initiative has accelerated R&D investments, and we’re seeing production volumes triple year-over-year.”

The facility will employ approximately 200 workers and includes dedicated spaces for powder handling, post-processing, and quality inspection. BLT has invested 180 million RMB in the project and expects to reach full production capacity by Q2 2026.

Industry observers note that Chinese AM companies are increasingly competitive on the global stage. While Western manufacturers like EOS and GE Additive dominated the market for decades, companies like BLT, Farsoon, and EP are now winning contracts from international customers due to competitive pricing and improving technology.

The Shanghai facility will also house a customer training center where engineers can learn to optimize designs for additive manufacturing. BLT plans to offer certification programs in collaboration with local universities.

China’s AM market is projected to reach $3.2 billion by 2027, driven by government subsidies, strong manufacturing infrastructure, and a growing ecosystem of material suppliers and service bureaus. The country currently accounts for approximately 25% of global industrial 3D printer installations.