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New funding fuels breakthroughs in sustainable and smart manufacturingManufacturing NextMaterials (MNM) is once again pushing the boundaries of innovation. Two new cross-border projects have officially been awarded funding, each accelerating the shift toward smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable production of high-performance components. Both initiatives exemplify the program’s mission: empowering SMEs to scale up from prototypes to test production using smart materials and flexible technologies.Scaling hydrofoil productionThe Dutch-German collaboration between <a href="https://qcde.eu/">Qconcepts Design &amp; Engineering</a> (Doetinchem, NL) and <a href="https://www.vonderlinden.de/">M.U.H. von der Linden GmbH</a> (Wesel, DE) aims to revolutionize the hydrofoil market. By tripling production capacity and increasing the all-up craft weight from 175 kg to 600 kg, the consortium is opening the door to new markets across leisure, commercial, and specialized transport. The partners will build on proven technologies from the Flo1 platform, ensuring a low-risk, cost-efficient path to scalability.Qconcepts brings extensive expertise in lightweight, composite maritime components, while Von der Linden contributes cutting-edge composite materials and sustainable processes. Their combined knowledge strengthens the Dutch-German innovation ecosystem and reinforces hydrofoil technology as a viable solution for sustainable mobility.Cross-border innovation, backed by EuropeThese projects are part of the Manufacturing NextMaterials initiative, a key component of the Interreg VI Deutschland-Nederland program. The initiative is co-financed by the European Union, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, MWIKE NRW, MB Niedersachsen, and the provinces of Drenthe, Flevoland, Fryslân, Gelderland, Groningen, Noord-Brabant, and Overijssel.Together, we’re scaling innovation, boosting SME competitiveness, and building a smarter, greener manufacturing future.

Scaling hydrofoil production

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Global supply chains have proven to be very vulnerable in global crisis situations. Together with increased energy and transport costs, this is forcing SMEs to adopt innovative and efficient approaches to keep production in Europe. Additive Manufacturing (AM) offers such an approach.&nbsp; However, AM processes require a high degree of specific process knowledge. 3D printing is already used in 42% of large German companies, but only 4% of small businesses use this technology. A report by the Büro für Technikfolgenabschätzung beim Deutschen Bundestag therefore formulates a series of necessary actions, including the establishment of independent facilities for testing various AM processes. This Lighthouse pilot project focuses on this.&nbsp; The aim of this Lighthouse Project is to set up a cross-border collaboration with partners CATO and TPAC to help SMEs find suitable applications for decentralized AM processing of the following components: spare parts, new metal bipolar plates for e.g. fuel cells and molds for composite test production. Such cooperation requires the partners to exchange existing methodologies and protocols and develop joint Dutch-German Scale-up programmes.Organisation Initiator in this pilotproject is the Rapid Technology Centre of the University of Duisburg-Essen (RTC). The RTC coordinates and manages this project. RTC defines the technical infrastructure of the 3D-lab for industrial AM processes and for finding and testing material applications. These should be available to SMEs in the sub-projects in the open part of the project at the RTC. RTC explicitly focuses on the use and development of AM processes for the production of these components. CATO &amp; TPAC These partners bring their expertise to the table in composite structures that require 3D printed inserts and other fasteners. In addition, the possibilities of additive manufacturing for the production of innovative and high-quality tools for injection molding or pressing must be developed. ZBT&nbsp; In consultation with Zentrum für Brennstoffzellen Technik GmbH (ZBT), the RTC will carry out AM testing of new metal bipolar plates for fuel cells and the fabrication of titanium structures for PEM electrolysers. &nbsp;

Projects