Material Usage:

Additive manufacturing typically uses only the material needed to create the part, leading to significantly less waste compared to traditional subtractive manufacturing methods.

Recyclability:

Many AM processes use materials that can be recycled and reused, further reducing waste. This is particularly true of thermoplastics-based materials.

New materials:

In the materials research we carry out in collaboration with research institutes and manufacturers, we will stress the need for creating new materials that lend themselves to energy efficient production and recycling.

Manufacturing Process:

AM often requires less energy than conventional manufacturing methods because it builds objects layer by layer, avoiding the energy-intensive steps of cutting and machining.

On-Demand Production:

AM allows for on-demand production, reducing the need for large inventories and the associated energy costs of storage and warehousing.

These are factors that we will be researching and teaching at the CoC.

Localized Production:

AM enables localized production, which can reduce transportation emissions and logistics-related energy consumption. This is precisely one of the reasons that the technology we are using, VTPM, was developed in the first place.

Reduced Lead Times:

The ability to produce parts quickly and locally can shorten supply chains, leading to fewer emissions from expedited shipping methods.

Lightweight Structures:

AM allows for the creation of lightweight structures without compromising strength, which is particularly beneficial in industries such as aerospace and automotive, leading to reduced fuel consumption and emissions.

Complex Geometries:

The technology is unique in its ability to create  complex geometries that can improve the efficiency and performance of products, such as improved aerodynamics or better thermal management.

Cost Savings:

Reduced material waste and energy consumption as well as costs of transportation of parts and materials translate into cost savings, making sustainable practices economically viable.

Job Creation:

AM can create high-skilled jobs in tech, engineering, and design, contributing to a sustainable economy.

A railway that had remote maintenance and repair shops and had to transport spare parts across huge distances, installed an AM system for manufacturing non-critical parts on site and saved enormously in terms of costs and energy required to move those parts across these huge distances.

There are innumerable ways in which AM can save costs and reduce energy consumption.

Policy Alignment: By reducing carbon emissions, promoting recycling and waste reduction, and fostering innovation in green technologies, AM represents a major sustainability gain for Europe and the Middle East.