SINGAPORE, 22 October 2026 – For many manufacturers, adopting additive manufacturing remains easier said than done. While the technology promises shorter lead times, greater design flexibility and lower material waste, companies often face fragmented pathways from concept to production.
To bridge these gaps, the Additive Innovation Centre (AIC) at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), supported by the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC), a national platform hosted by A*STAR, has signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Forefront Additive Manufacturing (FAM), ATC Globe Holdings (ATC) and GD Precision (GDP) to accelerate the adoption and industrialisation of AM in Singapore.
The MoU was announced at the Global AM Summit (GAMS) 2026, organised by NAMIC, in the presence of Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Finance & Ministry of Manpower, Mr Shawn Huang Wei Zhong. The partnership comes under AIC’s ImPACT (Innovative manufacturing Productivity via Additive & Cost-efficient Technologies) initiative, which aims to make additive manufacturing adoption easier for industry.
Today, companies often need to engage multiple partners at different stages of development, from research and prototyping to qualification and production. ImPACT takes a different approach by bringing these capabilities together into a connected ecosystem, enabling technology development, industrialisation and commercialisation to be tackled collaboratively from the outset.
At the heart of this collaboration is a shared goal: helping manufacturers identify where additive manufacturing can create value and providing them with the expertise needed to turn opportunities into production-ready solutions. The industry partners will lead the delivery of solutions that can be met through their established capabilities. For requirements that call for further R&D, testing or qualification, AIC will draw on expertise across A*STAR to develop and validate the solutions, before transferring the technology to the industry partners for deployment.
“Many companies see the potential of additive manufacturing but struggle to get from a promising idea to a part they can actually put into production. Through our ImPACT initiative, A*STAR serves as the bridge between industry needs and technology development, working alongside manufacturers to solve challenges, validate new solutions and accelerate deployment. Together with our partners, we provide companies with a seamless route from innovation to industrial adoption,” said Dr Sharon Nai, Hub Director of AIC, A*STAR.
Together, the four partners bring complementary expertise spanning advanced R&D, additive manufacturing production, precision engineering, surface treatment, testing and qualification. The partnership will focus on precision-engineered metal and polymer components for the Semiconductor, Aerospace, MedTech and Precision Engineering sectors, where complex geometries, demanding material performance and strict quality standards make AM especially valuable. By bringing these capabilities together, the collaboration gives companies a faster and lower-risk route to adopting AM, from concept development and materials innovation to production-ready parts and commercial deployment.
“More and more customers want AM services and parts that we can produce reliably and at scale. Working closely with AIC, ATC and GDP means we can take a design all the way to a finished, qualified component within one partnership, and do it much faster than if each step happened separately,” said Mr Wu Yong Lin, Managing Director, Forefront AM.
“A printed part needs to meet the required dimensions and finish to move into production. By being involved from the design stage, we can plan machining right into the process, helping to identify potential issues sooner and get customers to a production-ready part faster,” said Mr Gerry Ong, CEO, GD Precision.
“For industries such as Aerospace, Semiconductor and MedTech, components need to meet strict requirements before they can be used. ATC brings accredited capabilities in surface treatment, cleaning and inspection to support our partners in meeting these needs, and working together can help AM components move into critical applications much sooner,” said Mr Marcus Sia, Founder & Managing Director, ATC Globe Holdings.
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For media queries and clarifications, please contact:
Ms Michelle Ng
Marketing & Communications
National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC)
michelle_ng[at]namic.sg
About the Additive Innovation Centre (AIC)
The Additive Innovation Centre (AIC) at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), is an industry-facing translational hub supported by the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC). AIC brings together R&D expertise and advanced facilities across A*STAR, working with universities and industry partners to co-develop integrated, end-to-end additive manufacturing (AM) solutions. Through collaborative research, technology development, pilot production and workforce training, AIC accelerates the translation of research into industrial applications, helping companies advance validation, technology transfer and commercialisation. By connecting research, technology, talent and industry, AIC strengthens Singapore’s position as a trusted hub for AM innovation and industrialisation.
About Forefront Additive Manufacturing
Forefront AM develops AM solutions for industries such as semiconductors, medical, precision engineering, plastic tooling, oil & gas, marine, electrical & electronics and general engineering. Forefront AM helps customers to gain market shares by making their products that are capable of achieving greater performance yield through additive manufacturing technologies. Increasingly, its work also contributes to sustainability through a positive environmental impact with 3D printed parts playing a vital role in energy savings and reductions in carbon footprint.
About GD Precision
GD Precision is a precision engineering solutions provider serving global clients across high-value industries, including aerospace, semiconductor and medical, with facilities in Singapore and Malaysia. Through smart factory integration, automation and data connectivity, the company delivers high-precision manufacturing, custom sheet metal solutions, and end-to-end design and build services.
About ATC Globe Holdings
ATC is a leading provider of Aero Engine Pipe Manufacturing, Non-destructive Testing, Surface Finishing and Clean & Pack solutions for global customers in the Aerospace and Semiconductor industries. Operating four best-in-class facilities in Singapore and Malaysia, ATC offers 100+ special process capabilities and holds 90+ direct Special Process Approvals from key customers, supported by 15 Nadcap Merit Awards, CAAS SAR-145 and AS9100 accreditations, reinforcing its unwavering commitment to quality, safety and full regulatory compliance.