Young adults want to 3D print their food at home

With the rapid developments in 3D printing, and the increasing affordability of the technology, it is well positioned to become a part of daily life. Of particular interest to developers, driven by strong consumer interest, is 3D printed food.

3D printing is well aligned with consumers’ desire for ‘right-for-me’ foods that cater to their taste and dietary requirements due to the flexibility of the technology.  It opens the door to greater opportunities for personalisation, with consumers choosing the ingredients, textures and flavours. Additionally, it has the potential to benefit the environment, allowing experiential and environmentally aware consumers to extract nutrients from non-traditional ingredients, such as insects and algae, rather than traditional livestock and vegetables. With growing consumer awareness of the damage food products can cause to the environment, as well as resource and farming land scarcity in many countries, this method of food production will engage well with environmentally aware consumers.

According to GlobalData’s consumer survey in 2016 Q3, 42% of consumers globally find printing their own food and drink at home appealing. This sentiment is stronger among those aged 18-24, with over a half of consumers (52%) finding the possibility of 3D food printing appealing, highlighting their interest in and knowledge of developing tech. While 3D food printing will not become mainstream in the immediate future, it has a robust audience among the tech-savvy youth who are ready to give it a go. This is one to watch over the coming years.

Related links

https://www.globaldata.com/store/report/cs0047ts–trendsights-analysis-digital-consumption-understanding-digital-culture/