The Metal Additive Manufacturing Finance Market
Industrial metal 3D printing - primarily DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) and SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) - represents a significant capital commitment. Leading systems from EOS, Trumpf, Renishaw and SLM Solutions range from £150,000 to well over £1 million, placing them firmly in the territory of structured asset finance rather than off-the-shelf equipment loans.
The UK finance market for these assets has matured considerably. Specialist lenders now have dedicated manufacturing finance teams with real knowledge of additive manufacturing residual values - a critical factor when structuring lease terms and balloon payments.
Specialist Lender Criteria - Metal Additive Manufacturing
| Lender | Min Facility | Rate Range | Deposit | Key Criterion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lloyds Bank | £100,000 | 5.5–8.5% | 10–15% | 3+ years accounts, strong balance sheet |
| HSBC | £100,000 | 5.0–8.0% | 10–15% | Export activity, strong EBITDA |
| Close Brothers | £25,000 | 6.5–11.0% | 0–10% | Specialist asset knowledge, flexible on criteria |
| Aldermore | £25,000 | 6.0–10.5% | 0–10% | SME-friendly, 2+ years trading |
| Nucleus Commercial Finance | £10,000 | 7.0–13.0% | 0% | Revenue-based, growth businesses |
Worked Example - £350,000 EOS M 300-4 System
Asset: EOS M 300-4 DMLS system - total cost including installation, training and first consumable kit: £350,000.
Client: Aerospace precision components manufacturer, 12 years trading, £4.2m turnover, clean credit.
Structure: Hire Purchase (HP) - 5-year term at 6.2% APR (Lloyds Bank), 10% deposit (£35,000).
Finance amount: £315,000
Monthly payment: £6,085/month (indicative)
Total interest cost: approximately £50,100 over 60 months.
Tax: Full expensing claim on £350,000 asset generates c. £66,500 corporation tax saving at 19% - significantly offsetting the total finance cost.
Result: Net effective cost of acquisition substantially below headline, with owned asset and clean balance sheet at end of term.
Key Considerations for Metal 3D Printing Finance
Asset Specification
Lenders want a formal supplier quote including serial number, specification, installation and training costs. Bundling consumables is possible but discuss with us first - some lenders cap the non-asset component.
Residual Value
EOS, Trumpf and Renishaw systems hold value well on the secondary market. This aids lease structuring and balloon payments. We work with lenders who understand additive manufacturing residual values.
Operating Lease Option
For businesses concerned about technology obsolescence, an operating lease allows return and upgrade at end of term. This keeps the asset off your balance sheet (subject to lease term relative to useful life) and payments fully deductible.