3D printing has become a highly publicized (albeit, still extremely specialized) field over the past few years, with manufacturers of all types and sizes pondering the benefits of a machine that could generate everything from tools to toys to musical instruments. By using a printing process that builds layers of materials on top of one another to create fully-rendered three-dimensional objects, 3D printing could be the concept that finally puts manufacturing into the hands of consumers and small businesses, diminishing the need for towering industrial factories and worldwide transportation of goods.

So far, 3D printing has utilized common manufacturing materials, such as plastic and metal. Recently however, there has been a wave of research involving the use of 3D printing with foods. For instance, NASA has launched a $125,000 study to research the viability of using 3D printing to make food in space. Obviously, the printer would have to create foods from the ingredients that astronauts are able to take into space and store there. However, if NASA could figure out a way to create nutritional foods through 3D printing methods, the organization would be able to provide astronauts with better flavors and more meal variation without sacrificing limited storage space.

NASA isn’t the only one working on edible 3D printing projects, either. On the contrary, according to a report from Industry Leaders Magazine, the Hershey Company recently announced a partnership with a company called 3D Systems in an effort to provide consumers everywhere with the capability of printing their own Hershey’s chocolates. 3D Systems will develop a new licensed food printer that customers can buy, fill with “raw” chocolate materials from Hershey’s, and print their own chocolates in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs.

Precisely which market niche Hershey’s and 3D Systems are aiming for is a bit difficult to say, but both companies are hopeful that the new 3D printer will help to advance their missions. On one hand, 3D Systems believes that a high-profile partnership with Hershey’s will help to bring the concepts of food printing and 3D printing in general to the mainstream. Theoretically, if consumers see how easy and convenient it is to print their own chocolates, they will be more likely to pursue 3D printing in other sectors of their day-to-day lives, and 3D Systems will benefit.

On the other hand, Hershey’s believes that the 3D systems printer will provide a new, innovative, and exciting  way to deliver Hershey’s products. By being one of the first big-name companies to really embrace consumer 3D printing, Hershey’s could stand to benefit significantly should the technology take off in the next couple of years.