European AM hubs are forming: Addliance takes stock of a year of networking

Within the European additive manufacturing community, 2025 is considered a year of consolidation and networking. A visible highlight was the first summit of European AM hubs held in Barcelona in September. The event was initiated by Addliance, the European AM Hubs Alliance, and brought together organizations, institutions, and companies from across the European AM ecosystem.

The two-day summit took place at DFactory Barcelona and brought together more than 25 organizations from over 18 European countries. The field of participants was complemented by international platforms, research institutions, and other players active along the additive value chain. A total of over 270 people from industry, research, public administration, and healthcare took part. The summit marked the conclusion of a year-long process in which Addliance mapped existing AM initiatives, networked them, and integrated them into a common structure.

The focus was on the exchange between national and regional AM hubs. The program included 25 specialist presentations that provided insights into existing structures, technological priorities, and organizational models. In addition, eight strategic panels addressed topics such as industrial policy, energy, sustainability, defense, medical technology, academic education, and new business models in the field of additive manufacturing. More than 40 panel participants from industry, small and medium-sized enterprises, and technology centers were involved.

Another item on the agenda was a technology exhibition featuring more than a dozen international AM companies. Applications from the fields of 3D printing, 3D scanning, software, and industrial use cases were on display. Four live demonstrations illustrated the practical use of current systems.

Addliance sees the summit as a working platform for aligning positions and developing joint recommendations for action. The goal is a more coordinated European strategy that integrates industry, research, education, politics, and medical applications. For 2026, the network plans to establish a formalized organizational structure, coordinated national action plans, and a coordinated presence at European trade events. This is intended to strengthen the role of additive manufacturing as a key industrial technology in Europe.