The German engine manufacturer MTU Aero Engines has set up their own department for additive manufacturing under the direction of Dr. Ing. Jürgen Kraus. The team of 30 people will be responsible for the development of new technologies and series production of engine components with 3D printing processes. By the 2030, the manufacturer assumes that about 15% of all components used will come from additive manufacturing. At the same time, MTU expects to be able to reduce the manufacturing costs of complex components by significantly reducing the use of materials and tools.

Since 2013, the company has been using selective laser melting (SLM) to mass-produce a transmission component for the Airbus A320neo. MTU Aero Engines now wants to intensify its commitment by the investigation of new materials, designs, and components. Currently, this is already done by conducting a feasibility study for mass production of a seal carrier with optimized gap holding produced by 3D printing. It is a project supported by the European technology promotion program Clean Sky , which among other things examines the use of additive manufacturing processes to optimize lightweight construction in the aviation industry.