Materialise Launches Aerospace Competence Center in Delft, the Netherlands

“The opening of our new Aerospace Competence Center aligns with our commitment to support the aerospace industry through more than three decades of experience in additive manufacturing and software solutions, as well as our pioneering role in producing certified parts,” said Brigitte de Vet-Veithen, CEO of Materialise. “By joining this selective aerospace network, we can strengthen our capabilities, expand partnerships, and enable other aerospace leaders in this hub to accelerate innovation and explore new possibilities with AM.”

Materialise is a pioneer and market leader in the development and production of 3D-printed parts used in the aerospace sector. The company has delivered more than 500,000 3D-printed aerospace parts, with about 4,000 different types of parts printed per year.

"We are proud to welcome Materialise to Delft, a city where innovation and collaboration thrive," says Vice Mayor Maaike Zwart of the City of Delft. "By joining the Aerospace Innovation Hub, Materialise strengthens our dynamic Aerospace Delta ecosystem and the Innovation District Delft, paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in 3D printing and sustainable aviation. I’m truly excited to see the partnerships, ideas, and innovations that will grow from your presence here. Together, we are shaping the future of technology."

As the largest AM service provider for aerospace, Materialise holds a comprehensive set of flight-ready accreditations, including Production Organization Approval (POA) from EASA and EN 9100 certified manufacturing for flying parts. It serves the entire aerospace value chain, from OEMs to airlines and MROs to supplier tiers.

The Aerospace Innovation Hub @TU Delft fosters innovation by connecting startups, students, academics, government, and industry professionals in the heart of TU Delft's Aerospace Engineering Faculty. Materialise and @TU Delft will collaborate on projects where students and researchers can gain hands-on experience with AM while advancing developments in sustainable aviation. Materialise joins industry giants Airbus and Collins Aerospace, among others, at the Hub.

"At TU Delft, our mission is to create impact for a better society through education, research, life-long learning, and innovation. With the Aerospace Innovation Hub, we support this mission by accelerating innovations and bringing them to market. The arrival of Materialise at the Hub marks an exciting step toward deeper collaboration and new opportunities to drive additive manufacturing expertise to the growing aerospace community," said Henri Werij, Dean of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering TU Delft.

Additive manufacturing has proven to be an effective technology for solving long-standing industry challenges. It offers supply chain advantages, including shorter lead times and more affordable small series. AM aircraft parts can reduce stock risk, warehousing costs, and downtime related to repairs and maintenance.

The technology also enables unrivaled design freedom by offering fast-iteration design, rapid prototyping, and the ability to rethink components and assemblies without retooling manufacturing operations.

In addition to existing certified processes for aerospace, Materialise helps companies develop and qualify new AM applications and materials. The company also maintains a data lake that provides access to performance data from hundreds of aerospace builds, enabling users to make informed decisions based on real-life components.

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About Materialise

Materialise incorporates more than three decades of 3D printing experience into a range of software solutions and 3D printing services that empower sustainable 3D printing applications. Our open, secure, and flexible end-to-end solutions enable industrial manufacturing and mass personalization in various industries — including healthcare, automotive, aerospace, eyewear, art and design, wearables, and consumer goods. Headquartered in Belgium and with branches worldwide, Materialise combines the largest group of software developers in the industry with one of the world's largest and most complete 3D printing facilities

About Aerospace Innovation Hub @ TU Delft

The Aerospace Innovation Hub is the premier aerospace innovation and entrepreneurship community in the Netherlands, based at TU Delft’s Faculty of Aerospace Engineering. By connecting researchers, students, government, and industry, the hub creates a dynamic ecosystem where knowledge, technology, and entrepreneurship converge. It offers networking opportunities, mentorship, office space, and direct access to TU Delft researchers and talent. The Aerospace Innovation Hub drives innovation in the aerospace sector, with a focus on sustainability, efficiency, and cutting-edge technology. 
Learn more: www.aerospaceinnovationhub.nl  

About InnovationQuarter 

InnovationQuarter is the regional economic development agency for the Province of Zuid-Holland. Its mission is to strengthen the region's economic structure by unlocking and accelerating its innovation potential. In close collaboration with major corporations, a diverse network of SMEs, leading educational and research institutions, and government organizations, InnovationQuarter facilitates ecosystem development, invests in innovative companies, and attracts foreign businesses that create lasting value. The City of Delft and TU Delft are among its founders and shareholders. Learn more at www.innovationquarter.nl.

About Aerospace Delta 

Aerospace Delta clusters and promotes all aerospace activities in the Zuid-Holland region. As a dynamic network of over 270 companies and organizations, it represents a thriving ecosystem that collectively employs more than 9,000 full-time professionals, driving innovation and growth in the aerospace sector. Discover more at www.aerospacedelta.nl.