Belgium’s Materialise (Leuven; www.materialise.com), a provider of 3D printing software and solutions, is expanding its facility in Wroclaw / Poland. The move follows the acquisition in 2014 of e-Prototypy, Poland’s leading provider of rapid prototypes and 3D printing.

Construction was due to start in July 2016 and the plant is expected to be operational in May 2017. Poland’s Miastoprojekt Wroclaw has been appointed as general contractor on the project, which is said to be costing several million dollars. Materialise expects to create 50 new jobs as a result of the investment.

As well as 3D printers, the plant will be equipped with full post-production facilities and will also include an R&D centre.

Materialise said the facility will further increase its current 3D printing capacity and help respond to increased demand for both additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping. It added that the new location in Poland would also facilitate a closer collaboration between the manufacturing and software development teams, driving advancements and reinforcing its role as a competence centre for laser sintering technologies within the organisation.

Director of Materialise, Piotr Adamczewski, said the company wants to maintain its position as a global market leader and to continue investing in the future to expand its knowledge in the booming 3D printing industry.

3D printing is being used in a variety of sectors, including medical, automotive, electrical, aviation and household. Materialise's portfolio ranges from 3D models of hearts to assist surgeons in complex surgical procedures, to a replica of Tutankhamen in the Egyptian Valley of the Kings and a chandelier for Hollywood celebrities Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.