About the Application Center for Additive Manufacturing

When additive manufacturing was introduced in the 1980s, it was hailed as the start of the “Third Industrial Revolution”, and over the past decades we have witnessed impressive technological advancements. To support the manufacturing industry in embracing the technology and further the Swedish adoption of it, RISE joined hands with industrial partners and academia and founded the Application Center for Additive Manufacturing (AM Center) in 2021.

From science to industrial benefit

As a research institute, our work is firmly rooted in science, making our collaborations with academia in Sweden and across Europe essential. By working closely with our industry partners and suppliers of materials, machines, and software, we ensure that scientific insights are transformed into real, measurable value for the industry.

AM Center serves as an independent national hub for cross-industry collaboration, designed to help overcome the barriers slowing the implementation and industrialisation of additive manufacturing. Within the center, companies can safely explore new solutions and manufacturing strategies alongside technical experts and peers facing similar challenges, enabling faster action while avoiding common pitfalls.

The road ahead

The centre has grown rapidly and now houses a wide range of expertise and advanced equipment. Together with our partners we have engaged in projects spanning everything from innovative modelling strategies to the interplay between flexibility and robustness in different additive manufacturing processes. We have explored the possibilities of large-scale robotic AM, found ways to deal with post-processing issues and investigated options for mass production in various materials. Yet, we have only scratched the surface.

Since its launch, the center has seen the manufacturing industry grow in its readiness to implement additive technologies. Organisations are increasingly seeking to scale up production and move towards industrialisation. This shift has also affected the center, expanding its focus from materials and technology to include business value and operational excellence.

In 2026, AM Center enters a new phase, broadening the scope of its operations. We start from a strong position, with infrastructure in place and strategic goals defined, giving us a solid platform for progress. Learn more about AM Center 2.0.

Facts

The Application Center for Additive Manufacturing is run by RISE together with the center's partners and through support from the Västra Götaland region, Vinnova and the European Union. While physically located at RISE in Mölndal, it leverages the full extent of the research institute's expertise and knowledge.