DNV certifies WAAM production: DEEP Manufacturing achieves formal readiness for series production

The industrial use of large-format metal additive manufacturing is advancing, but it continues to be strongly shaped by regulatory and safety-related requirements. Particularly in maritime and offshore environments, strict regulations apply, as components often perform safety-critical functions. Against this background, DEEP Manufacturing Ltd has completed an important formal step and received full Approval of Manufacture for Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing from the classification society DNV.

DEEP Manufacturing’s CEO Peter Richards added: “Being one of the few manufacturers globally, and the only in Europe, to secure this level of approval demonstrates both the maturity of our technology and the trust placed in our processes. It proves that DML is ready to deliver large, safety-critical WAAM components to the highest standards.”

The approval confirms that the manufacturer is capable of producing WAAM components reproducibly in accordance with defined specifications and regulatory frameworks. It builds on a previously granted Approval in Principle and extends it to specific applications. The process is approved for use, among other things, in pressure vessels, pressure-loaded structures for manned applications, as well as hull components and equipment parts. This marks the first time WAAM has been comprehensively recognized within a regulated industrial framework for these application areas.

Thorsten Lohmann, Head of Materials & Welding at DNV Maritime, added: “We are very pleased to award this new AoM for WAAM to DEEP Manufacturing. This recognition is built on a productive and longstanding cooperation, and we thank DEEP Manufacturing for their trust and choosing DNV as their classification partner.

WAAM and Additive Manufacturing (AM) techniques have made great strides over the past several years, creating new potential efficiencies in logistics and supply chains, as well as maintenance and repair. At DNV we are committed to enabling these technologies through our evolving AM rules, to ensure that we build this segment on a foundation of expert and independent safety and quality standards.”

With the formal approval, planning certainty increases for operators in the offshore, energy, and maritime sectors when deploying large-format additively manufactured metal components.

Richards continued: “We are entering a new era of manufacturing for the offshore, maritime, and energy industries, and our focus is on helping customers embrace innovation and build more adaptable, resilient operations. This milestone marks a tipping point for the industry – the moment to fully unlock the advantages that additive manufacturing can deliver.”

The certification underscores that WAAM is increasingly transitioning from the experimental phase into regulated industrial applications, where it is gaining importance as a complementary manufacturing technology.