Additive manufacturing has long been one of Shaanxi Province’s advantageous industries.
This is mainly due to the strong research foundation and talent pool cultivated by universities and research institutions such as Xi’an Jiaotong University, Northwestern Polytechnical University, the National Innovation Center for Additive Manufacturing, and the Northwest Institute for Nonferrous Metal Research. These institutions have helped nurture a number of outstanding 3D printing companies, including BLT, Sailong Additive Manufacturing, Xi’an Kongzhi Additive Manufacturing, Xianshi Photoelectric, and Chuangrui Additive Manufacturing. In addition, vigorous promotion of 3D printing industrial parks in areas like Weinan, together with local demand from aerospace, defense, and military manufacturing, has given Shaanxi a well-developed industrial ecosystem that holds a leading position nationwide. In 2024, the Shaanxi Provincial Development and Reform Commission issued a document stating its goal to cultivate a hundred‑billion‑level additive manufacturing industrial innovation cluster, aiming for 200 3D printing‑related enterprises and 100 billion CNY (approximately 13.89 billion USD) in output value by 2035.
On April 22, 2026, the Information Office of the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Government held a special press conference on the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan period in Shaanxi, summarizing the key industries that will receive focused support in the future.
Han Hongqi, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, stated that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Shaanxi Province will focus on 17 key directions, including a “7+5+5” framework, striving to build a trillion‑level future industry with advanced technology, mature application scenarios, and a sound ecosystem.
The first “7” refers to promoting seven advantageous industries to take the lead in breakthroughs and participate in international competition: quantum and photonics, advanced semiconductors, new displays, intelligent connected vehicles, high‑efficiency solar energy, hydrogen energy, and additive manufacturing. Key priorities include commercializing quantum keys, quantum radars, and photonic sensors; expanding the scale of optoelectronic chips; promoting the transformation of major achievements such as next‑generation substrate glass; developing and producing L3 and higher intelligent connected vehicles; maintaining a world‑leading position in perovskite tandem cells; improving the level of hydrogen energy equipment and fuel cells; and achieving breakthroughs in the production of precision components for additive manufacturing such as lasers and beam‑shaping optics.
The first “5” refers to accelerating the development of five potential industries to reach a nationally leading level: advanced aviation, embodied intelligence, advanced metal materials, carbon fiber materials, and biomanufacturing. Key priorities include developing low‑altitude aircraft and key components, deploying humanoid robots, accelerating the industrialization of high‑performance alloys and carbon fiber, and promoting the transformation and implementation of technologies such as biopharmaceuticals and biosynthesis.
The second “5” refers to promoting the distinctive development of five frontier industries: aerospace and sixth‑generation mobile communications, brain‑computer interfaces, high‑performance medical devices, advanced nuclear energy, and deep earth. Key priorities include strengthening the industrialization capacity for satellites, rockets, and 6G terminals; accelerating breakthroughs in the production and application of brain‑controlled devices; cultivating complete diagnostic and treatment equipment products; enhancing the supply capacity of key nuclear energy materials; and achieving breakthroughs in ultra‑deep drilling equipment production capabilities.
To cultivate its future industries, Shaanxi will build a number of “hidden champions” and specialized and sophisticated “little giant” enterprises, raising the development level of Shaanxi’s future industries.
After the central government issued the 15th Five-Year Plan, provinces have begun formulating their own development plans. Not long ago, Sichuan Province took the lead in listing additive manufacturing as one of the key industries for development during its 15th Five-Year Plan period. Shaanxi Province has also included additive manufacturing as one of seven advantageous industries to be prioritized for breakthroughs. Expectations are high for more provinces to publicly announce their support for the additive manufacturing industry.
