Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Sustainable Plastics
  • Rubber News
Subscribe
  • Sign Up Free
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Processor News
    • Suppliers
    • More News
    • Digital Edition
    • End Markets
    • Special Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Injection Molding
    • Blow Molding
    • Film & Sheet
    • Pipe/Profile/Tubing
    • Rotomolding
    • Thermoforming
    • Recycling
    • Machinery
    • Materials
    • Molds/Tooling
    • Product news
    • Design
    • K Show
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Sustainability
    • Public Policy
    • Material Insights Videos
    • Numbers that Matter
    • Automotive
    • Packaging
    • Medical
    • Consumer Products
    • Construction
    • Notable Leaders in Sustainability
    • Processor of the Year
    • Best Places to Work
    • Women Breaking the Mold
    • Rising Stars
    • Diversity
    • Most Interesting Social Media Accounts in Plastics
  • Opinion
    • The Plastics Blog
    • Kickstart
    • One Good Resin
    • Pellets and Politics
    • All Things Data
    • Viewpoint
    • From Pillar to Post
    • Perspective
    • Mailbag
    • Fake Plastic Trees
  • Shop Floor
    • Blending
    • Compounding
    • Drying
    • Injection Molding
    • Purging
    • Robotics
    • Size Reduction
    • Structural Foam
    • Tooling
    • Training
  • Events
    • Plastics News Events
    • Industry Events
    • Injection Molding & Design Expo
    • Livestreams/Webinars
    • Editorial Livestreams
    • Ask the Expert
    • Plastics News Events Library
    • Plastics News Executive Forum
    • Injection Molding & Design Expo
    • Plastics Caps + Closures: A Global Online Event
    • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
    • Bioplastics Live
    • Numbers that Matter Live
    • PFAS Live
    • Plastics in Politics Live
    • PN Live: Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Polymer Points Live
    • Sustainable Plastics Live
    • Plastics Caps & Closures Library
    • Plastics in Healthcare Library
    • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum Library
  • Rankings & Data
    • Injection Molders
    • Blow Molders
    • Film Sheet
    • Thermoformers
    • Pipe Profile Tubing
    • Rotomolders
    • Mold/Toolmakers
    • LSR Processors
    • Recyclers
    • Compounders - List
    • Association - List
    • Plastic Lumber - List
    • All
  • Directory
  • Resin Prices
    • Resin Prices Overview
    • Commodity Thermoplastics
    • High Temperature Thermoplastics
    • Engineering Thermoplastics
    • Recycled Plastics
    • Thermosets
    • Europe - Virgin
    • Europe - Recycled
    • Europe - Feedstock
  • Custom
    • Sponsored Content
    • LS Mtron Sponsored Content
    • Conair Sponsored Content
    • KraussMaffei Sponsored Content
    • ENGEL Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
    • Classifieds
    • Place an Ad
    • Sign up for Early Classified
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
May 11, 2020 11:30 AM

3D printing industry says China tariffs hurt COVID fight

Steve Toloken
Assistant Managing Editor
Plastics News Staff
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Reprints Print
    MakerBot Industries LLC
    A MakerBot 3D printer makes face shield parts. The company is asking the Trump administration to exempt 3D printing materials and equipment from China tariffs.

    When the coronavirus reared up in the U.S. in March, 3D printing workshops — including those in plastics companies — were among the first to pivot and start cranking out face shields and protective gear in short supply for health care workers.

    Now, some in the 3D printing industry are pivoting to government policy and arguing that tariffs from the trade war by President Donald Trump's administration on China are hurting efforts to fight COVID-19.

    They're seeking relief from the import duties, including for the specialized engineering plastics materials that additive manufacturing operations need.

    3D printer company MakerBot Industries LLC and the Consumer Technology Association both told U.S. trade officials in recent letters that since additive manufacturing has proven crucial to making supplies for hospitals and the public, it should be exempted from China tariffs.

    3D printing equipment and materials from China face a 25 percent tariff, imposed in the early stages of the U.S.-China trade conflict in 2018.

    "MakerBot's 3D printer products are critical in the medical response to COVID-19 and instrumental in the manufacturing of personal protective equipment at all domestic levels, from the hobbyist trying to assist a local doctor's office to large-scale medical operations, such as hospitals," Yuval Avni, chief financial officer of the Brooklyn-based firm, said in an April 8 letter to U.S. trade officials.

    The comments came in response to a formal inquiry opened in late March by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, asking for feedback on changes to China tariffs because of the spreading coronavirus outbreak in the United States. USTR received more than 500 comments from a wide range of industries.

    As 3D printing operations have ramped up, Avni told the government that his firm has been offering "large discounts" to cities, hospitals and universities, and at times giving away the plastic filament materials used to 3D print PPE. But tariffs are an impediment, he said.

    "The tariffs limit MakerBot's ability to make 3D printing products more affordable and accessible at a time when all PPE and other manufacturing efforts are needed," he said, adding that they "greatly impact the extent to which MakerBot can make resources available."

    "The United States currently cannot manufacture or supply adequate quantities of PPE for medical professionals, let alone the entire U.S. population," he said.

    Avni told USTR that since the outbreak came to the United States, the Brooklyn-based company has learned of many efforts to use its 3D printers to make medical gear at libraries and hospitals.

    One of its contract manufacturers has been using them to make thousands of PPE per week, and Avni said his company's been working with Columbia University and Tangible Creative to make and distribute 3D printed PPE to hospitals.

    Tariffs threaten those programs, he said.

    "Many of the efforts … are not sustainable with the current imposition of the 301 tariffs on MakerBot's 3D printer products as the costs of these tariffs directly affect our ability to maintain our inventory and supply chain, manufacture PPE to distribute and provide discounts on an alternative means for citizens to print their own PPE," Avni said, referring to Section 301 of U.S. law that gives the president authority to set tariffs.

    MakerBot declined to elaborate beyond its government filing.

    Arlington, Va.-based CTA joined with MakerBot, telling the USTR that it should give tariff exemptions to "3D printers and raw materials enabling both companies and individuals to produce medical and other products such as face shields."

    In an April 29 letter, it urged U.S. policymakers to consider many types of nonmedical technologies — including electronics for telehealth and emergency responders, drones to deliver supplies and WiFi hot spots for communities — important in the fight against the pandemic.

    "Products imported by CTA member companies that are needed to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak are not simply those directly related to medical care or otherwise limited to medical uses," CTA said.

    China has a large 3D printing and materials industry. Fort Collins, Colo.-based Wohlers Associates Inc., which has written an annual report tracking the industry globally for 25 years, estimates China has the second-largest installed capacity of industrial 3D printing machines in the world, after the United States.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Auto suppliers plan for uncertainty amid UAW strike, shift to EVs
    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Plastics News would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor at [email protected]

    Most Popular
    1
    Auto suppliers plan for uncertainty amid UAW strike, shift to EVs
    2
    An 8,000-ton dream for Milacron, 20/20 Custom Molded Plastics
    3
    ABB to double injection molding capacity at Quebec plant
    4
    Some resin prices take a hike at the end of summer
    5
    An education in manufacturing as shop returns to a New York school
    SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Find more newsletters at plasticsnews.com/newsletters.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Plastics News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe today

    Subscribe to Plastics News

    Subscribe now
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram

    Plastics News covers the business of the global plastics industry. We report news, gather data and deliver timely information that provides our readers with a competitive advantage.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI 48207-2997

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1723

    Resources
    • About
    • Staff
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Media Kit
    • Data Store
    • Digital Edition
    • Custom Content
    • People
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Sitemap
    Related Crain Publications
    • Sustainable Plastics
    • Rubber News
    • Tire Business
    • Urethanes Technology
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Processor News
        • Injection Molding
        • Blow Molding
        • Film & Sheet
        • Pipe/Profile/Tubing
        • Rotomolding
        • Thermoforming
        • Recycling
      • Suppliers
        • Machinery
        • Materials
        • Molds/Tooling
        • Product news
        • Design
      • More News
        • K Show
        • Mergers & Acquisitions
        • Sustainability
        • Public Policy
        • Material Insights Videos
        • Numbers that Matter
      • Digital Edition
      • End Markets
        • Automotive
        • Packaging
        • Medical
        • Consumer Products
        • Construction
      • Special Reports
        • Notable Leaders in Sustainability
        • Processor of the Year
        • Best Places to Work
        • Women Breaking the Mold
        • Rising Stars
        • Diversity
        • Most Interesting Social Media Accounts in Plastics
      • Newsletters
      • Videos
      • Podcasts
    • Opinion
      • The Plastics Blog
      • Kickstart
      • One Good Resin
      • Pellets and Politics
      • All Things Data
      • Viewpoint
      • From Pillar to Post
      • Perspective
      • Mailbag
      • Fake Plastic Trees
    • Shop Floor
      • Blending
      • Compounding
      • Drying
      • Injection Molding
      • Purging
      • Robotics
      • Size Reduction
      • Structural Foam
      • Tooling
      • Training
    • Events
      • Plastics News Events
        • Plastics News Executive Forum
        • Injection Molding & Design Expo
        • Plastics Caps + Closures: A Global Online Event
        • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
      • Industry Events
      • Injection Molding & Design Expo
      • Livestreams/Webinars
      • Editorial Livestreams
        • Bioplastics Live
        • Numbers that Matter Live
        • PFAS Live
        • Plastics in Politics Live
        • PN Live: Mergers and Acquisitions
        • Polymer Points Live
        • Sustainable Plastics Live
      • Ask the Expert
      • Plastics News Events Library
        • Plastics Caps & Closures Library
        • Plastics in Healthcare Library
        • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum Library
    • Rankings & Data
      • Injection Molders
      • Blow Molders
      • Film Sheet
      • Thermoformers
      • Pipe Profile Tubing
      • Rotomolders
      • Mold/Toolmakers
      • LSR Processors
      • Recyclers
      • Compounders - List
      • Association - List
      • Plastic Lumber - List
      • All
    • Directory
    • Resin Prices
      • Resin Prices Overview
      • Commodity Thermoplastics
      • High Temperature Thermoplastics
      • Engineering Thermoplastics
      • Recycled Plastics
      • Thermosets
      • Europe - Virgin
      • Europe - Recycled
      • Europe - Feedstock
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • LS Mtron Sponsored Content
      • Conair Sponsored Content
      • KraussMaffei Sponsored Content
      • ENGEL Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
      • Classifieds
        • Place an Ad
        • Sign up for Early Classified