Major investment in Fraunhofer facility strengthens the Hamburg economic location

© hammeskrause architects

At the groundbreaking ceremony of the Fraunhofer IAPT (from left to right): Ulf von Krenski, Deputy District Office Manager of Bergedorf, Prof. Dr. Axel Müller-Groeling, Board Member for Research Infrastructures and Digitalization of the Fraunhofer Society e.V., Second Mayor and Science Senator Katharina Fegebank, Prof. Dr. Ingomar Kelbassa, Director of the Fraunhofer IAPT, Prof. Dr. Andreas Timm-Giel, President of Hamburg University of Technology. © Ingo Boelter / Fraunhofer IAPT

With today's groundbreaking ceremony, the expansion of the Fraunhofer Institute for Additive Production Technologies IAPT in Hamburg-Bergedorf begins. The federal government, the state of Hamburg, and the Fraunhofer Society are investing in the expansion of industry-related research and development for additive manufacturing technologies.

Researchers at Fraunhofer IAPT are working on additive manufacturing – particularly in end-use sectors such as medicine, mobility, energy, and defense – contributing to securing societal prosperity. The transfer of research results from Fraunhofer IAPT into industrial production includes patient-specific implants, mobile and stationary fuel-efficient serial components, and custom-made parts for satellites in space.

Infrastructure for industry-related research

The expansion of Fraunhofer IAPT promises companies and professionals in the Hamburg metropolitan region easy access to the entire additive manufacturing process chain. The new extension, covering around 1,100 square meters, will showcase the entire process chain with state-of-the-art equipment and system technology. Users will work with experts and specialists from Fraunhofer IAPT to model their scenarios and realize cost and material savings, as well as functional optimizations, across the entire additive manufacturing route – from design to post-processing and finishing, including quality assurance.

From idea to industry, from Hamburg to the world and space

Additive manufacturing accelerates innovation, combines efficiency with ecological and social sustainability, minimizes waste, and offers resource-conserving alternatives to long supply chains. With these and other advantages, additive manufacturing – also known as 3D printing – is one of the key technologies for a sustainable, internationally competitive, and resilient industry and society.

Science Senator Katharina Fegebank: "Fraunhofer IAPT is an important bridge between science and industry. As an innovation driver in the fields of life sciences, energy, mobility, and security, IAPT is a central contact for companies in the Hamburg metropolitan region and beyond. With the new building, we are strengthening research and industrial production of sustainable products and resource-efficient components. This enhances the potential of additive manufacturing and broadens its application. For better environmental protection and prosperity in Hamburg, more training and jobs, and increased competitiveness on the global market."

The relevance of Hamburg as a location for research and innovation is also emphasized by Prof. Dr. Axel Müller-Groeling, Board Member for Research Infrastructures and Digitalization of the Fraunhofer Society e.V.: "With the groundbreaking ceremony for the Fraunhofer Institute for Additive Production Technologies (IAPT), we are taking the next step to strengthen the Fraunhofer location in Hamburg. Hamburg is not only an emerging research and innovation hub but also an ideal partner for our forward-looking projects. We are pleased that the Fraunhofer Society is part of this dynamic development and can advance technology transfer into industry together with local institutions."

Prof. Dr. Ingomar Kelbassa, Director of Fraunhofer IAPT, adds: "The expansion of Fraunhofer IAPT not only strengthens our institute but also benefits all manufacturing companies throughout Hamburg. We are building a digital and technical infrastructure in Hamburg-Bergedorf to initiate, expand, and intensify public-private partnerships on a large scale across the Hamburg metropolitan region. Together, we are developing Hamburg into a pioneer for the industrialization of additive manufacturing."

New building strengthens research and education throughout Hamburg

Through various projects, Fraunhofer IAPT is closely networked with local industry, healthcare, and research institutions such as Hamburg University of Technology (TU Hamburg) or the University Medical Center Eppendorf (UKE). For example, Prof. Dr. Ingomar Kelbassa also heads the Institute for Industrialization of Smarter Materials (ISM) at TU Hamburg alongside Fraunhofer IAPT.

Prof. Dr. Andreas Timm-Giel, President of Hamburg University of Technology: "Additive manufacturing is a future technology. With unprecedented design freedom, it makes the production of functional and complex components faster, more efficient, and resource-saving. Additive manufacturing fits perfectly with our strategic initiative 'Engineering to Face Climate Change.' I am very pleased that the new building at IAPT will further strengthen cooperation between Fraunhofer and TU Hamburg, enabling us to optimally serve the entire development chain from fundamental research to industrial application of additive production technologies."

In addition, Fraunhofer IAPT cooperates with local networks such as 3D Printing North and is among the founding members of the organization "Fraunhofer Industrial Application Center Quantum Computing Hamburg" (Fraunhofer IQHH). This organization develops competencies and joint capacities in applied quantum technology.

Sustainable technology, sustainable construction

Fraunhofer IAPT emphasizes sustainability. Beyond the fundamental resource efficiency of additive manufacturing, the institute has appointed a project coordinator for sustainability since 2024. Accordingly, the research facility also focuses on sustainable construction and the use of renewable energies: The new building replaces concrete with more sustainable materials such as wood and steel. It will feature a photovoltaic system with storage, be heated by heat pumps and heat recovery, and provide charging stations for electric vehicles for staff.

Furthermore, as part of the construction measures, Fraunhofer IAPT is also upgrading the existing building with photovoltaic systems, heat recovery, and energy-efficient lighting systems.

The total usable area of the new building is approximately 2,670 square meters spread over three floors. In addition to the laboratory and equipment hall of around 1,100 square meters, the new building will also house work and training rooms for the competence and application fields as well as the Additive Academy of Fraunhofer IAPT.

The costs for construction and initial equipment are estimated at around 42 million euros, with 50 percent funded by the state of Hamburg and 50 percent by the federal government.