Additive manufacturing in FP7 and Horizon 2020 : report from the EC workshop on additive manufacturing : Brussels, 18 June 2014

Additive Manufacturing (AM), including 3D-Printing, is one of the potential game changers that, for some applications, has already reached a tipping point of maturity. These days, we are already witnessing the growing enthusiasm and an increased adoption of these technologies. AM has received European Union (EU) funding since the first Framework Programme (FP), during 1984-1987. The following FPs (from 1988 till 2013) ensured continuous support from different funding programmes. In FP7 (2007-2013) more than 60 successful projects based on AM technologies were funded, with over €160 million of EU funding and a total budget of around €225 million. The research and technological development supported by European funding was very important for the growth of the AM technologies in Europe and Horizon 2020 will bring new opportunities. Nevertheless, and despite the EU support, European companies are facing these days a tough business environment. The aim of the workshop was to understand the needs of the AM sector and to discuss how the current barriers for further development of AM technologies could be removed. There was a special emphasis on the impact of potential policy measures at the EU level which could enhance the competitiveness of the AM sector.