ASTM and Additive Center develop certification path for AM in the semiconductor sector

ASTM International and the Dutch Additive Center are joining forces to bring greater standardization to additive manufacturing in the semiconductor supply chain. The focus of the collaboration is a structured qualification and certification path for AM suppliers that manufacture components for semiconductor equipment. The background is the increasing use of 3D-printed parts in highly sensitive process and peripheral systems, combined with growing pressure on traceability, reproducibility and auditability.

ASTM’s Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) is contributing established standards, testing and certification programs to the partnership. Additive Center is responsible for the operational work with suppliers: maturity assessments, gap analyses and qualification projects, supported by its own engineering consultancy and the Amify learning platform. The goal is to develop the technical capabilities and processes of manufacturers so that they can demonstrably meet the requirements of major semiconductor OEMs.

As part of its Additive Manufacturing Certification Program, ASTM assesses companies against ISO/ASTM 52901, 52904 and 52920, as well as against industry-specific management systems such as ISO 9001, AS9100, ISO 13485 or IATF 16949. The outcome is intended to be a repeatable model in which suppliers demonstrate their qualification through concrete improvement projects and independent audits, while OEMs receive robust data on the performance of their AM supply chain.

“ASTM brings certification, qualification, and standardization experience from the most regulated industries—aerospace, defense, automotive, energy, and medical—into the semiconductor space,” said Sergio Sanchez, Business Director of ASTM International’s Advanced Manufacturing Division. “Additive Center brings local expertise, supplier relationships, and semiconductor-specific knowledge. Together, we’re helping their customers—and the broader high-tech ecosystem—achieve world-class additive manufacturing quality.”

This consistently transfers know-how from regulated industries to the semiconductor market. Additive Center CEO Maarten van Dijk emphasizes the role of AM as an integral part of modern semiconductor manufacturing:

Additive Center CEO Maarten van Dijk added: “Semiconductors are the backbone of every advanced technology on the planet, and additive manufacturing is playing a crucial role. Through this partnership, we can help semicon OEMS and their suppliers raise the bar on precision and repeatability, ensuring the AM parts behind those systems are produced to the highest global standards.”

In the long term, the approach is also intended to be applicable in other sectors such as aerospace, defense, medical technology, automotive and energy, where additive manufacturing is increasingly being used in safety- and quality-critical applications. The initiative fits into the trend toward regionally rooted but internationally qualified supply chains, in which Brainport Eindhoven plays a central role as an AM hub.

The program will be presented at Formnext 2025 in Frankfurt: Additive Center in Hall 12.1, Booth C68, ASTM International in Hall 11.0, Booth A21. A joint press conference on 18 November will provide further details on planned certification programs and pilot projects – a topic that AM suppliers with a semiconductor or high-tech focus are likely to follow closely.