DDD stock finishes a memorable year up 1% in early trading Tuesday as the 3D printing industry continues to boom.
3D Systems (DDD
) was among a handful of 3D printing companies that enjoyed a memorable 2013. Company shares have been on the rise all year with DDD stock up a remarkable 162% YTD. Investor’s Business Daily sat down with 3D Systems CEO Avi Reichental about the future of 3D printing technology.
Here are three of the most mind-blowing things Reichental said about the industry.
- Reichental on the prospect of printing human tissue and organs:
It is imminently achievable. Some of the best and brightest minds globally are working on advanced R&D in quite a few universities and private organizations. They have demonstrated sufficient scientific feasibility to suggest this is not a question of if it will happen, but when and how.
Before we will print full organs, I’m certain we’ll be able to print bones and create lots of trauma restoration devices, prosthetic devices that will allow people to restore symmetry and functionality to certain parts of their bodies.
- Reichental on using 3D printing technology to create food:
I’ve connected with some food companies and scientists and all of us share a vision that, at a certain point in time, some form of 3D printers will be able to print for us personalized nutritional food. I have an eye toward starting with sweets and delectables but, down the road, moving into the whole universe of personalized nutrition. It may start with simple structures like bars that will include our required daily nutrients and vitamins.
- Reichental on when 3D printers will become common household appliances:
Printers like our Cube 3D printer today retail for $1,200 and are available nationwide in chains like Staples (SPLS). And Office Depot (ODP) just announced they will roll out Cube to 150 stores. It is also available online in a variety of stores, including Amazon (AMZN). With that, we believe that greater democratization needs to happen before we have it in every household, so we are rapidly developing more content-creation tools.
