Materialise Achieves EN 9100 Certification for Metal Additive Manufacturing in Aerospace

Belgium-based Materialise, a pioneer in additive manufacturing (AM), has achieved EN 9100 certification for its metal AM processes within the aerospace sector. EN 9100, a sector-specific variant of the ISO 9001 standard, certifies that an organization has implemented a robust quality management system that ensures product quality, process control, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement.

Materialise, represented in the UK by Southampton-based Materialise UK, is already EN 9100 certified for its polymer AM processes tailored to the aerospace industry. To date, the company has produced over 500,000 flying parts for aircraft OEMs, suppliers, and MROs. The new metal AM certification marks a significant milestone in the adoption of 3D-printed metal parts for aviation and space applications.

This certification opens up a range of new opportunities for aerospace stakeholders, offering improved part design flexibility and enhanced supply chain efficiencies. Materialise is well-versed in meeting rigorous standards and is one of the few AM providers certified to Airbus AIPI standards. Recently, it achieved the highest possible grade on the Airbus Quality Maturity assessment. Furthermore, Materialise holds a Production Organisation Approval (POA) from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which enables it to manufacture flight-ready parts with Form 1 accreditation.

Expanding Capabilities for Aerospace Manufacturing

With the addition of EN 9100 certification for its metal processes, Materialise is now positioned to support the aerospace value chain in sourcing flight-ready metal and polymer 3D-printed components. Low-criticality parts, in particular, present a strong opportunity within the sector. These parts include components such as seat bezels, housings, interior trims, and ducts — all of which need to be light, strong, durable, and often repaired or replaced in small quantities. These characteristics align perfectly with the advantages of metal 3D printing, offering the ability to keep digital “on-demand” stock for faster sourcing and cost-efficient small-series production.

In an industry where production volumes are often low, 3D printing’s tooling-free technology allows for more affordable small-series manufacturing compared to traditional methods. Conventional manufacturing methods typically require high-volume runs, driving up the cost per part, while 3D printing eliminates the need for large-scale production runs and associated costs, such as wasted stock or excess inventory. This approach helps avoid costly supply chain disruptions that could delay part availability and even ground flights.

Cost-Efficient and Flexible Production

Erik de Zeeuw, Materialise’s market manager for aerospace, explained, “The ability to pay only for parts used, combined with a lower total cost of ownership, makes 3D printing a clear advantage in the aerospace industry. In addition, there is no longer the need for minimum production runs, which makes 3D printing a cost-effective solution for producing low quantities of parts — especially those requiring continuous improvements.”

Materialise’s large-scale manufacturing capabilities, POA status, and now EN 9100-certified processes, ensure it is equipped to manufacture flight-ready parts while supporting design-approved organizations in producing new parts in line with industry standards. The company’s quality assurance system is designed to simplify the qualification process for 3D-printed metal parts, opening new avenues for innovation.

Looking to the Future

De Zeeuw concluded, “With the quality and process control systems we have in place, we are ready to engage with our extensive aerospace and space partners to identify, produce, and develop the perfect applications for metal additive manufacturing. We are excited to see how these innovations will take flight and provide new opportunities for the aerospace industry.”

Materialise’s successful integration of EN 9100 certification for its metal processes marks an exciting step toward advancing 3D printing capabilities in aerospace, offering the potential to revolutionize part production and drive efficiency across the sector.