Michelin and Fives Group partnered up to launch Fives Michelin Additive Solutions, a company that will produce 3D-printed metal.
The company will be owned half-and-half by the two companies and will hire 20 people from both camps initially.
Fives Michelin Additive Solutions will produce 3D printed metal parts for different industries (i.e. automotive, aerospace, health, etc.), and complete production lines to the related services (redesign of parts, definition of the manufacturing process, installation, production support, training, etc.).
Plastic is commonly used as 3D-printing material, but metal 3D-printing is a growing market—now noticed by OEMs, accessory suppliers, and even aircraft manufacturers.
According to the Wohlers Report, the market for metal additive manufacturing (metal 3D-printing) in 2014 was already worth than EUR600 million with an average annual growth of over 20%. That same year, more than 500 machines were sold worldwide.
The operation should be finalized in the coming months, subject to the approval of the relevant competition authorities.