As explained in our introduction to the six categories, Formnext expanded its competition in 2024. The Formnext Awards now recognise young businesses, established companies and initiatives across additive manufacturing.
The six winners received their awards on 21 November 2024, during the show. The organiser’s announcement describes the projects and results presented on that occasion.
The trophies were designed by SUTOSUTO and produced by voxeljet. Award partners also included 3D Printing Industry, AM Ventures, cirp, Renishaw and TRUMPF.
Start-up Award: Axolotl Biosciences
The Canadian company develops TissuePrint, a research-grade bioink for 3D-printed human tissue models. Described as xeno-free, it is formulated without biological components of non-human animal origin; the term does not mean “free of toxic substances”. The TissuePrint-HV specification sheet describes a fibrin-based formulation compatible with several cell lines.
In the competition presentation, the company reported cell viability above 90% after printing. That result concerns the reported test conditions; it is not a guarantee for every cell type or protocol.
Rookie Award: Oryx Medicals
Oryx Medicals presented a patient-specific mechanical aortic valve project using 3D printing. Its stated aim is to combine mechanical-valve durability with less invasive transcatheter implantation for aortic stenosis. This is the project recognised in 2024: receiving an award does not establish clinical validation or market authorisation.
Sustainability Award: Ceratizit
Ceratizit was recognised for a binder- and sintering-based approach to additive manufacturing of hard metals. Company calculations reported during the competition indicated 91% less raw material and a 95% lower carbon footprint for the case presented, compared with the reference conventional production route. These figures are not guaranteed savings for every part or process.
Design Award: Siemens and the 3D-PROCESS consortium
The consortium presented a reactor design for synthesising compounds used in active pharmaceutical ingredients. Siemens reported up to 50% less energy and approximately 50% less solvent than the conventional process used for comparison. These are project-specific claims, rather than a general measure applicable across the chemical industry.
(R)Evolution Award: Fraunhofer IGCV
The project Three Material Powder Bed Fusion of Battery Cell Cap Housing concerns multi-material battery cell housings. Fraunhofer IGCV describes a powder-bed process combining aluminium, copper and ceramic in one manufacturing step. The approach aims to integrate conductive and insulating functions within the same component.
The institute highlights the ability to adapt geometries quickly during small-series development without making new tooling for every variant. The 2024 presentation described a pending patent application; that statement refers to the situation at the time.
AMbassador Award: AM of Bones, University of Stuttgart
The University of Stuttgart worked with dental surgeons at Freiburg University Hospital on bone substitutes for dental applications. The project uses ceramic-filled resins for DLP stereolithography and combines design, manufacturing, cleaning and post-processing of porous structures. The university’s presentation documents the work and the award. A competition result alone does not establish an implant’s clinical effectiveness or sterility.
Historical context: the November 2024 announcement scheduled the 2025 call for submissions for the following spring. Information about the 2024 edition is available in the Formnext Awards archive.
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