Denmark Additive Manufacturing Opportunities

Denmark is an attractive destination for American exports of advanced manufacturing technology. With its highly reliable energy supply, and the opportunity to collaborate with an innovative automation cluster, the Danish market also offers a strategic platform from which to supply the broader European market. 

There are growing opportunities within additive manufacturing (AM) in Denmark. AM is the industrial production name for 3D printing, a computer-controlled process that creates three-dimensional objects by depositing materials, usually in layers. Although a growing number of companies now use additive manufacturing technologies, there is still big potential for further development of the industry in Denmark. 

Manufacturing is a key pillar of the Danish industry and has a global reputation in products ranging from generators, pumps, and thermostats to wind turbines and robotics. The most important subsectors include process manufacturing within life science and pharmaceuticals, chemicals, renewable energy technologies, and industrial equipment, but also consumer product industries such beverages, Carlsberg being a major industrial user, and toys, with Lego as a global supplier. 

The early adoption of additive manufacturing took place in the Danish hearing aid industry. This has facilitated the building of knowledge on photopolymers and how to develop tailormade products. Its use has spread to other niche industries and large manufacturing companies. Small and medium-sized enterprises are now increasingly adopting additive manufacturing with basic plastics being the most widely used material. Currently, approximately 25% of Danish manufacturing companies use additive manufacturing technologies, primarily in prototypes and in the manufacturing of end products. Spare parts are an untapped area where more traction is expected in the future. 

Danish companies may either invest in their own 3D printers or opt to outsource the growing number of third-party service providers. 
The significant focus area for the advanced manufacturing sector in Denmark is sustainability. By 2030, Denmark aims to have the world’s first climate-neutral manufacturing industry while continuing to create green exports, growth, and jobs. AM technologies can enable local production, thus rendering emissions from transport, reduce material use and promote circularity by increasing repair options and by reusing materials.  

For more information, please contact Patrycja.dahl@trade.gov