Takeaways of the Additive Manufacturing European Conference

14 October 2015

On June 23, 2015, additive manufacturing (AM) was given a unique showcase at the European Parliament in Brussels when CECIMO, the European Association of the Machine Tool industries, held the first “Additive Manufacturing European Conference”.

At the event, hosted by Reinhard Bütikofer, Member of the European Parliament (Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance), representatives from AM companies, EU institutions, think tanks and the machine tool sector discussed how the full-scale industrialisation of AM could be achieved in a rapid and cost-effective manner, and how this so-called “disruptive” series of technologies could help create the highest value for the economy and society.

The participants also gave their input on the regulatory framework conditions and the business challenges and opportunities in Europe, as well as their impact on the development of AM. The discussions focused on the role played by governments, industry, academia and the research community in the development of AM and on the potential for advances and growth offered by pan-European initiatives.