Fraunhofer IPK
Applied R&D institute providing contract research and system solutions for industrial AM, specializing in large-scale metal deposition and digital process twins.
- CEO / Founder
- Prof. Dr. Holger Kohl (acting director)
- Team Size
- 201-500
- Stage
- Active
- Latest Round
- Grant
- Key Investors
- German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF); European Union; Industry Contract Partners
Technology & Products
Key Products
Contract R&D for Metal AM; WEBAM (Wire Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing) Process Development; LWAM (Laser Wire Additive Manufacturing) Solutions; Digital Twin Frameworks for AM Process Control; Automated Post-Processing and Finishing Systems
Technological Advantage
Vendor-neutrality allows for objective technology selection; co-location with TU Berlin provides a unique synergy between academic research and industrial application.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Accelerates the transition from AM prototyping to series production by providing vendor-neutral process development and digital twin integration, reducing lead times for complex metal components by up to 50%.
How They Differentiate
Focuses on the 'Production System' and 'Digital Integration' (Industry 4.0) rather than just the printing process, offering end-to-end digital-to-physical workflows and vendor-neutral system integration.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Industrial manufacturers, aerospace OEMs, automotive companies, and foundries seeking to industrialize AM processes.
Industry Verticals
Aerospace; Automotive; Energy; Tooling; Medical Technology
Competitors
Fraunhofer IWS; Fraunhofer ILT; MTC (Manufacturing Technology Centre); EWI (Edison Welding Institute); TWI (The Welding Institute)
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
The overall budget for Fraunhofer IPK in 2022 was €27.6 million, with approximately €5 million from industry contract research and €12 million from government-funded projects.
Major Milestones
Founded in 1976 in Berlin; Establishment of the Production Technology Center (PTZ) Berlin; Launch of the WEBAM (Wire Electron Beam Additive Manufacturing) research facility; Strategic partnership with ITA in Brazil for advanced manufacturing; Exhibitor at Formnext 2025
Notable Customers
Siemens; BMW; Volkswagen; Lufthansa Technik; Mercedes-Benz