Dutch masters—of 3-D printing

Abstract

It is now possible to cycle across a 3-D-printed concrete bridge, see a canal house with a 3-D-printed facade, eat 3-D-printed food using 3-D-printed dentures, and source a host of 3-D-printed plastic or metal components—all in the Netherlands. The Dutch 3-D printing community is also working on electronics, lights, shoe insoles, concrete, metal, food, and pharmaceuticals. The Dutch are embracing three-dimensional printing and the benefits it can bring—personalized production, reduced costs, and enhanced functionality—in a big way. The country’s early success in this field is due to a combination of government strategy and a culture that embraces innovation, some Dutch 3-D technologists say. While the country’s 3-D printing sector is not about to dominate the industry globally, the Netherlands is punching above its weight, with a growing number of its firms now recognized worldwide. Sales from 3-D printing in the Netherlands doubled to about $120 million in 2016 compared with