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I AM RRI · Project

Mapping How Additive Manufacturing Innovation Networks Work to Help Companies Compete

manufacturingPrototypeTRL 3Thin data (2/5)

Imagine 3D printing has grown into a $6 billion industry, but nobody really has a clear map of how all the players — suppliers, designers, machine makers, end users — connect and influence each other. This project built a computer simulation (like SimCity, but for the additive manufacturing industry) that models how innovations spread through these tangled supply chains. They tested it on real automotive and medical 3D printing cases across 16 organizations in 12 countries, so companies and policymakers can actually see where the bottlenecks and opportunities are before making big bets.

By the numbers
$6 billion
Global additive manufacturing market value in 2016
93%
Share of AM market attributed to industrial applications
16
Consortium partners involved
12
Countries represented in the consortium
EUR 2,995,565
EU funding for the project
The business problem

What needed solving

Companies investing in additive manufacturing face a fast-moving, complex ecosystem where suppliers, technology providers, and end-user industries are deeply interconnected — but there is no clear map of how innovations actually flow through these value chains. Without understanding these dynamics, companies risk backing the wrong technology partners, missing market shifts, or failing to anticipate how regulatory and ethical requirements will reshape the AM landscape.

The solution

What was built

The project built an agent-based simulation model (ABM) that maps and simulates the additive manufacturing innovation network, including its value chains and business model dynamics. The model was documented, calibrated, and tested with automotive and medical use cases. The consortium also produced strategic guidelines for institutional change and identified where responsible innovation practices fit within AM value chains.

Audience

Who needs this

AM equipment manufacturers planning market expansion strategyAutomotive OEMs evaluating 3D printing for production partsMedical device companies navigating AM adoptionGovernment innovation agencies designing AM industry support programsAM service bureaus assessing competitive positioning
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Automotive parts manufacturing
enterprise
Target: Automotive OEMs or tier-1 suppliers exploring 3D-printed components

If you are an automotive manufacturer evaluating additive manufacturing for production parts — this project developed a simulation model of AM innovation value chains, tested specifically on automotive use cases. It maps how technology spreads across the supply network, helping you identify where to invest and which partners matter most. The model was built with input from 6 industry partners across 12 countries.

Medical device manufacturing
mid-size
Target: Medical device companies using or considering 3D printing

If you are a medical device maker trying to understand how additive manufacturing will reshape your supply chain — this project ran a dedicated medical AM use case to model innovation dynamics. It shows how regulatory requirements and responsible innovation practices affect technology adoption in your sector. The consortium included 4 SMEs and 5 research organizations bringing real industry data.

Additive manufacturing services
SME
Target: 3D printing service bureaus and AM equipment manufacturers

If you run an AM service bureau or sell industrial 3D printers and need to understand where the market is heading — this project modeled the full web of AM innovation value chains. With 93% of the $6 billion AM market coming from industrial applications, their agent-based model simulates how business models evolve and technology diffuses across the sector.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

How much would it cost to use this simulation model for my company's AM strategy?

The project produced an agent-based model (ABM) as a research demonstrator, not a commercial software product. Based on available project data, the model documentation and calibration results are publicly available through deliverables. Licensing or consulting arrangements would need to be discussed directly with the consortium lead, Montanuniversitaet Leoben.

Can this model work at the scale of a real industrial supply chain?

The model was calibrated and tested on two real-world use cases — automotive and medical additive manufacturing applications — involving 16 partner organizations across 12 countries. Based on available project data, the ABM demonstrator underwent software testing and calibration, but it remains a research tool rather than an enterprise-grade platform.

What about intellectual property — can I license the model or its outputs?

The project was funded as an EU Research and Innovation Action with EUR 2,995,565 in public funding, and outcomes were intended to be made available to the open science community. Based on available project data, strategic guidelines and model outputs are accessible, but specific IP terms should be clarified with the coordinator.

Does this help with regulatory compliance for AM products?

The project specifically investigated responsible research and innovation (RRI) openings within the AM innovation network. While it identified where ethical and regulatory considerations fit into AM value chains, it did not produce a compliance tool. The findings are most useful as strategic input for companies navigating AM governance.

How current is this research given the project ended in 2021?

The project ran from 2018 to 2021 and used 2016 market data ($6 billion AM market). The AM industry has grown significantly since then. The modeling methodology and value chain mapping approach remain relevant, but the specific market data and network snapshots would need updating for current decision-making.

Can the model be adapted to other industries beyond automotive and medical?

Yes — the project explicitly stated that outcomes would support the evolution of other innovation networks beyond AM. The agent-based model was designed for adaptability, and the automotive and medical use cases were chosen to refine and showcase this flexibility across different regulatory and market conditions.

Consortium

Who built it

The I AM RRI consortium brings together 16 partners from 12 countries — a genuinely pan-European effort. With 6 industry partners (38% of the consortium) and 4 SMEs, it has meaningful private-sector involvement for a research project. The mix of 4 universities and 5 research organizations provides academic rigor, while the industry partners ground the work in real AM business reality. Led by Montanuniversitaet Leoben in Austria, the consortium spans major European AM markets including Germany, Finland, France, Italy, and the Netherlands. The broad geographic spread is useful for mapping cross-border AM innovation networks but also means the research is general rather than focused on any single national market.

How to reach the team

Montanuniversitaet Leoben, Austria — a mining and metallurgy university with strong materials science and manufacturing research. Contact via university research office.

Order a report on this consortiumSee MONTANUNIVERSITAET LEOBEN profile →
Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to understand how additive manufacturing innovation networks could affect your supply chain strategy? SciTransfer can connect you with the research team behind this model.

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