Belgian metal 3D printing specialist (3D Systems group) providing precision additive manufacturing for space, industrial, and medical applications.
LayerWise, now part of 3D Systems, is a Belgian company specializing in precision metal additive manufacturing (metal 3D printing). They provide advanced metal printing capabilities across multiple application domains — from aerospace-grade components for space launchers to custom medical implants. In H2020 projects, they consistently serve as the additive manufacturing technology provider, contributing their metal printing expertise to consortia working on launcher development, manufacturing process optimization, and implantable medical devices.
Core capability underpinning all three projects: PAM^2 focused directly on precision additive metal manufacturing, while SMILE and TIES-TEST applied metal 3D printing to space and medical domains respectively.
Contributed to SMILE — SMall Innovative Launcher for Europe, likely providing 3D-printed metal parts for launcher systems.
TIES-TEST project involved a transcutaneous implant evacuation system for ostomy care, where LayerWise likely manufactured the implantable device components via metal 3D printing.
LayerWise's early H2020 involvement (2016) spanned space launcher components (SMILE) and fundamental additive manufacturing research (PAM^2), reflecting a broad positioning of their metal 3D printing technology. By 2019, their focus shifted toward medical device applications with TIES-TEST, an implantable system for ostomy patients. This trajectory suggests a move from general-purpose manufacturing R&D toward higher-value, regulated medical applications where precision metal printing offers clear competitive advantage.
LayerWise appears to be pivoting toward medical device manufacturing, where their precision metal 3D printing can command higher margins and address unmet clinical needs.
LayerWise operates exclusively as a participant, never leading consortia — consistent with their role as a specialist technology provider brought in for specific manufacturing capabilities. With 27 unique partners across just 3 projects, they work in mid-to-large consortia averaging 9+ partners per project. This pattern indicates they are sought after as a reliable manufacturing partner rather than driving research agendas themselves.
Despite only 3 projects, LayerWise has built connections with 27 distinct partners across 12 countries, reflecting a broad European network. Their diverse sectoral spread (space, manufacturing, medical) means their partner base spans aerospace primes, research universities, and medical device developers.
LayerWise brings industrial-grade metal 3D printing backed by 3D Systems' global resources — a combination few European partners can match. Their ability to apply the same core manufacturing technology across space, industrial, and medical domains makes them a versatile consortium partner. For coordinators building projects that need precision metal components, LayerWise offers production-ready capabilities rather than lab-scale prototyping.
