Singapore scales up additive manufacturing with three partnerships

They include a deal linking local firms with Bavaria’s industrial ecosystem.

Singapore has formed three global and industry partnerships in additive manufacturing to help bring solutions from research to industrial use.

The partnerships also seek to advance standards, industry qualification, and workforce development in additive manufacturing and related technologies.

The National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC) signed a four-year memorandum of understanding with Bavaria Makes, whose founding members include global players Siemens, Colibrium Additive, Oerlikon, and EOS, alongside Bayern Innovativ and the Technical University of Munich.

Under the agreement, Singapore businesses, start-ups, and researchers will connect with Bavaria’s additive manufacturing ecosystem through joint research and development (R&D) and industrialisation projects, testing and validation of new technologies, start-up development and market access, and deeper research talent exchanges across both regions.

NAMIC is also strengthening its ties with standards development organisation ASTM International.

Since 2018, the two have delivered four international ASTM standards developed in Singapore, covering areas such as design guidance for polymer 3D-printed parts and standardised data formats for monitoring the powder bed fusion process.

They have also set up three ASTM-accredited professional training programmes that have equipped more than 120 individuals with additive manufacturing skills.

Meanwhile, A*STAR’s Additive Innovation Centre (AIC) entered a five-year collaboration with local enterprises ATC Globe Holdings, Forefront Additive Manufacturing, and GD Precision to help companies move more efficiently from development to industrial deployment.

The collaboration will bring together R&D, additive production, precision finishing, treatment, and testing capabilities.

NAMIC CEO Ho Chaw Sing said additive manufacturing and artificial intelligence can help enterprises accelerate material discovery and improve product design.

"The challenge, especially for [small and medium-sized enterprises], is scaling these innovations beyond the pilot stage," he added.

The partnerships were announced in conjunction with the Global Additive Manufacturing Summit 2026, which has drawn over 400 delegates from 15 countries.