Formnext 2024 Spotlights Australia: Victoria Takes Center Stage in Global Additive Manufacturing Innovation

Each year, Formnext, the premier global exhibition and conference for additive manufacturing and industrial 3D printing, selects an official partner country. This esteemed designation grants the chosen nation a dedicated pavilion, offering its exhibitors an unparalleled platform to showcase their innovations to the vast international AM community. For Formnext 2024, the honor has been bestowed upon Australia, specifically through a strategic partnership with the Victorian Government. This collaboration underscores Victoria’s ambition to solidify its reputation as “a partner and advocate for businesses looking to think outside the box and expand their export opportunities,” signaling a significant moment for Australia’s burgeoning additive manufacturing sector on the world stage.

In previous years, Formnext has predominantly focused on its European roots when selecting partner countries. Last year, the spotlight shone on the Nordic countries, while Italy and France held the distinction in prior editions. While European nations have frequently taken center stage, the event has also recognized significant AM players outside the continent, notably featuring the US and China in past partnerships. The selection of Australia, an emerging yet powerful force in advanced manufacturing, marks a pivotal shift and a strong affirmation of its rapid growth and increasing influence in additive manufacturing globally. This decision by Formnext reflects a broader acknowledgment of AM innovation transcending traditional geographical boundaries, embracing dynamic new hubs of technological advancement.

For many, Australia might not immediately spring to mind as a global powerhouse in additive manufacturing. However, beneath the surface, the nation has been quietly yet powerfully establishing itself as a significant player in recent years. This rapid ascent is largely propelled by concerted efforts in research, industrial innovation, and strategic governmental support. At the very heart of this burgeoning activity lies the state of Victoria, with its capital city, Melbourne, serving as the central nucleus for much of the country’s AM development. Victoria’s unique blend of world-class universities, innovative companies, and supportive policies has cultivated an ecosystem ripe for advancements in 3D printing technologies.

Victoria’s dominance in Australia’s additive manufacturing landscape is undeniable, largely due to a robust foundation of groundbreaking research and a thriving industrial base. For instance, SPEE3D, a global leader in cold spray additive manufacturing technology, is headquartered in Southern Victoria. Their innovative approach, which uses supersonic deposition to rapidly produce metal parts, has found critical applications across sectors like aerospace and defense, demonstrating Victoria’s capacity for high-tech innovation and practical implementation. SPEE3D’s technology allows for on-demand manufacturing in remote and challenging environments, a particular advantage for military and heavy industry applications, positioning Australia at the forefront of rapid prototyping and field deployment.

Beyond pioneering companies, Victoria also serves as a vibrant hub for advanced academic research. Prestigious institutions like RMIT University, Monash University, and Swinburne University of Technology are all centrally located within the state, forming a powerful triad of knowledge creation and technological advancement. These universities are not just educational centers; they are at the vanguard of additive manufacturing research, driving significant progress in diverse fields. Their work encompasses revolutionary advancements in medical devices, such as custom prosthetics and bioprinted tissues, sustainable manufacturing processes that reduce waste and energy consumption, lightweight materials for transportation, and innovative methods for construction, including large-scale 3D printed structures. This potent combination of world-class academic research and cutting-edge industrial application profoundly contributes to Victoria’s strategic importance and serves as the primary rationale behind the exciting partnership between Formnext and the Victorian Government for 2024.

The excitement surrounding this partnership is palpable on both sides. In an official press release, Formnext articulated its enthusiasm, stating, “Formnext is thrilled to have Australia as its partner country in 2024! For years, this multifaceted continent has been making quite an impression with its vibrant AM community and system providers that have succeeded all around the world, as well as with service providers and other highly specialized companies in AM. At the foundation of it all are outstanding universities and a unique setting that draws talented people Down Under from across the globe.” This sentiment underscores Formnext’s recognition of Australia’s comprehensive additive manufacturing ecosystem, from its innovative startups and established companies to its world-class research institutions and unique appeal for global talent.

The enthusiasm is equally strong from the Australian perspective. During a press conference held in October, representatives from the Victorian Government, including Gönül Serbest, Commissioner for Victoria to Europe, Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa, conveyed their profound excitement. She noted that they were “very excited to show the capabilities of the state of Victoria, which while only 3% of the country’s landmass is almost 25% of Australia’s economy and population, at Frankfurt this year.” This highlights Victoria’s disproportionate economic and demographic significance within Australia, making it a critical driver of innovation. Furthermore, representatives emphasized that Victoria is truly “the heartland of additive manufacturing in Australia,” and that this partnership with Formnext represents a crucial and timely opportunity to further strengthen global connections, attract investment, and foster international collaborations, propelling Australia’s AM sector to new heights.

What to Expect From Australia at Formnext 2024: The Victoria Pavilion Experience

A primary advantage of being the partner country at Formnext is the provision of a dedicated pavilion, offering a centralized and prominent space for exhibitors to present their innovations. This year, the Victoria Pavilion will serve as a comprehensive gateway to Australian additive manufacturing excellence, showcasing a diverse array of companies and research institutions. Attendees can anticipate engaging with industry leaders such as SPEE3D, renowned for its high-speed cold spray metal AM technology; Titomic, a pioneer in large-scale kinetic fusion additive manufacturing that enables rapid production of industrial-scale parts; and Additive Assurance, which specializes in crucial quality control and assurance solutions for AM processes, ensuring reliability and repeatability. Other notable exhibitors include Automation Acoustics, likely bringing innovations in automated post-processing or inspection; Luyten, pushing the boundaries of construction 3D printing; and the esteemed Monash Centre for Additive Manufacturing and RMIT Centre for Additive Manufacturing, representing the cutting edge of academic research and industry collaboration.

The Victoria Pavilion, conveniently located in Hall 12.0-C02, will offer a holistic view of the entire additive manufacturing process chain. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to explore innovations spanning fundamental research and development, advanced materials science, comprehensive AM services, and sophisticated post-processing techniques. This breadth of representation ensures that attendees, whether they are seeking new technologies, collaborative research partners, or supply chain solutions, will find a wealth of opportunities within the pavilion. It’s an invaluable chance to witness firsthand the depth and sophistication of Australia’s contributions to the global AM landscape, fostering networking, knowledge exchange, and potential partnerships.

The selection of Australia as the partner country for Formnext 2024 is more than just an annual tradition; it’s a powerful statement about the evolving global landscape of additive manufacturing. It highlights the growing importance of new innovation hubs outside traditional regions and validates Australia’s significant investments and advancements in this transformative technology. For Formnext attendees, the Victoria Pavilion promises to be a dynamic and essential destination, offering insights into a vibrant AM ecosystem that is rapidly shaping the future of advanced manufacturing. This partnership is set to inspire further collaboration and innovation, bridging continents and accelerating the adoption of additive manufacturing worldwide.

What are your thoughts on Australia being chosen as the partner country for Formnext 2024? How do you envision this partnership impacting the future of additive manufacturing on a global scale? We invite you to share your insights in a comment below or join the conversation on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here to receive the latest 3D printing news directly to your inbox. You can also explore all our videos and interviews on our YouTube channel for more in-depth content.

*Cover Photo Credits: Monash University