Download the September/October edition of 3D ADEPT Mag

There are a couple of things that we have realized since the latest edition. First, a lot of efforts are focused on “Environment” when approaching sustainability in the AM industry whereas it should be a well-thought-out strategy that encompasses “Social” and “Governance” aspects. Moreover, companies that are already engaged in this journey sometimes approach climate and emissions, biodiversity and supply chain, social and DEI matters separately, with different teams reporting on their specific areas despite them being inextricably linked.

This September/October edition of 3D ADEPT Mag questions everything – again. It goes back to the basics of what companies should know at the legislation level and how legislation may affect their business. It highlights what companies have done during the past year and strives to demonstrate that a sustainability strategy is much more than carbon footprint calculation, incremental targets and offsetting. More importantly, it recognizes that it should be about securing long-term business resilience alongside creating profit, thus generating wider value for society and the planet.

Lastly, it’s an issue that urges AM companies to never stop asking questions, whatever stage they are at in their journey.

Exclusive features

Dossier | AM Companies must get started on their ESG journey. Here is how. (Part 1)

For a long time, sustainability in our industry has been focusing on environmental concerns only. As time goes by, conversations with investors and VC companies have urged Additive Manufacturing (AM) companies to make profit while doing good for people and the planet. This triple bottom line is at the heart of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) planning and strategies companies should implement to withstand the test of time, investor demands, and cultural shifts. So, how should they get started? To avoid drowning in the sea of information the Internet can offer, we sat down with three lawyers from Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP.

Dossier | Key areas of focus in the application of ESG by AM companies (Part 2)

While each company’s sustainability journey is unique and may vary depending on its location(s), value chain, investors, or partners, there are a couple of pain points that all AM companies can relate to. This article aims to highlight them. It will also shed light on a few companies that have already taken the leap on ESG. With contributions from Simon Schlagintweit, Medical Expert & Lead Auditor Additive Manufacturing at TÜV SÜD, and Vladimír Víšek, Sustainability Manager at Prusa Research.

DOSSIER | Can Additive Manufacturing (AM) deliver “faulty” implications for its “green” credentials? (Part 3)

So, should we say that the understanding of sustainability in AM is fairly subjective? Sarah Jordan, CEO of Skuld as well as Mike Troupos, Vice President at Foresight Management and his team discuss a couple of questions.

AM Shapers | Beyond on-demand 3D printing for supply chain with Shell

Eleven years ago, when multinational oil and gas company Shell bought its first metal 3D printer, the company only aimed at producing prototype parts for their experimental installations. Fast forward to today, along with fellow companies of the same league, Shell is writing a chapter that could position the oil and gas industry as the fourth major adopter of Additive Manufacturing. Angeline Goh, 3D Printing Technology Manager at Shell, takes us through a journey rich in lessons, collaborations and hope for the future.

AM Shapers | Beyond LPBF: Honeywell on finding the right opportunity with Additive Manufacturing

With a decade of experience in Additive Manufacturing (AM), Honeywell has built a solid reputation as a major developer of commercial aerospace applications enabled by metal AM. Today, the company continues to explore new avenues of technology for its field of activity. Brian Baughman and Curtis Swift took fifty minutes off their busy schedule to walk me through these avenues. They also shared what they find the most challenging in their adoption of AM and how the industrial conglomerate is ready to continue winning billions in this business.

Materials | Driving circular plastics economy in Additive Manufacturing

We have grown up in an environment where plastic, once used, is considered waste. This burden has prevented generations of consumers and industries from capturing the economic benefits of plastic. With Additive Manufacturing and circular economy at the top of Europe’s agenda, waste that was considered a burden before has now turned into gold. The only thing is that it’s up to each company to find the right way to make it glitter. We asked difficult questions to Evonik’s Dominic Störkle to understand their strategy.

Materials | The use of aluminum in Additive Manufacturing: challenges and opportunities

Metal Additive Manufacturing applications are filled with examples that involve the use of titanium, inconel and recently, pure copper. As we are exploring the next phase of growth of this segment, we need to consider aluminum and aluminum alloys as the range of materials AM users can capitalize on. The only thing is that the benefits one can get by processing aluminum alloys with AM are underrated, even overlooked and the weird part of it, is that I understand why. With insights from Alireza ARBAB, Head of Additive Manufacturing at Constellium and Alison Forsyth, CEO of Alloy Enterprises.

Materials | Eckart GmbH on the use of high-strength alloys in Additive Manufacturing

In what has become our traditional annual catch-up, Dr. Ulrich Schmidt and Dr. Moritz Roscher, respectively Global Head of Technical Marketing and Head of Additive Manufacturing Alloys of the Business Line Functional Applications at ECKART GmbH,,share that the company broadens its portfolio of high-strength Al- and Ti-based alloys for Additive Manufacturing.

Metal AM | TRUMPF focuses on industry-specific needs to deliver productivity and automation

High-tech company TRUMPF has understood the importance of delivering industry-specific solutions and will be presenting the new TruPrint 2000 at Formnext, ideal for the needs of the healthcare and medical industries.

Metal AM | Farsoon on customer-centric metal AM solutions: trends and latest applications

Farsoon has observed from the series production customers that the market is moving towards sustainable solutions with reliable quality and excellent cost effectiveness. Based on what we have seen in the industrial manufacturing market today, the three dominating markets are large-format parts production, traditional manufacturing cost reduction with metal AM technology, and finally, the consumer goods series production.

Focus | Ceramic 3D printing role in hydrogen production is more tangible. 3DCeram demonstrates it in the HyP3D project

When we started discussing what a renewable energy transition with Additive Manufacturing (AM) looks like, a key focus was unconsciously placed on the role of metal 3D printing technologies like LPBF. Interestingly, various projects have popped up this year across Europe and have demonstrated the capabilities of ceramic 3D printing as an ideal production candidate that could bring the hydrogen economy closer to effective implementation. 3DCeram demonstrates the how and the why of these capabilities through the European HyP3D project.

Focus | Thermwood’s Cut Layer Additive is an Additive Manufacturing process that does not 3D print. CEO Ken Susnjara explains why.

Thermwood has rolled out a new manufacturing approach that brings together its history in CNC routing and its work in large-format additive manufacturing. Named Cut Layer Additive, the new manufacturing process does not 3D print parts, yet it remains an additive process. How is it possible? The company’s CEO Ken Susnjara takes us through the how and the why of this latest development