Austria has the third-highest number of 3D printing start-ups worldwide.

In a recently published analysis of the international additive manufacturing (AM) start-up landscape, the leading consulting firm AMPOWER once again ranks Austria as a global leader.

Austria once again proves its extraordinary innovative strength in additive manufacturing. AMPOWER, a leading consulting company, certifies that Austria is in a remarkable top position in the latest AMPOWER Report edition (Volume 9). According to the publication, Austria has the third-highest global number of AM start-ups relative to the number of inhabitants. The Alpine Republic follows Israel and the Netherlands, countries known for having a start-up-friendly environment. With a total of 15 start-ups founded between 2011 and 2021, the small republic also achieved an impressive fifteenth place worldwide (independent of the number of inhabitants) in the list, which the US leads. Austria’s performance is all the more remarkable because start-ups in other regions can draw on significantly higher capital. For example, the average investment volume of an AM start-up in the US is around EUR 11.6 million, which is five times the European average.

The Austrian AM industry also leads in other rankings

Austria has long played an above-average active and innovative role in the international 3D printing industry despite the country’s comparatively small size. While the early years of AM were predominantly shaped by regions such as the US and Germany, the last decade has changed dynamics. This development is reflected in the European Patent Office report, where Austria recorded the highest global increase in AM-related patent applications between 2014 and 2017. The most recent Wohlers Report (2021) also shows that Austria has the most AM manufacturers per capita, ahead of the US, Germany and China.

A critical factor for Austria as a business location

While Austrian stakeholders enjoy international recognition and represent a critical factor for Austria’s future as a business location, reports like this illustrate the essential role of R&D funds for regional companies. Current programs, such as ‘Production of the Future’, have impressively demonstrated their ability to strengthen the resilience and future of the economic system while simultaneously supporting sustainability.

About AM-Austria

The technology platform AM Austria is a non-profit association committed to promoting and supporting the Austrian additive manufacturing industry since 2018. The platform is supported by the Federal Ministry of the Republic of Austria for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK), and it pursues the goal of developing Austria into an innovative pioneer in the additive manufacturing field to raise this technology’s enormous potential for this location. With more than seventy members from industry, research and trade, the young initiative is one of Austria’s most active and largest technology platforms.