SINGAPORE, 21 October 2026 – Turning additive manufacturing innovations into real-world impact requires strong connections between research, industry and talent across borders. To strengthen these linkages, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC), a national platform hosted by A*STAR, has signed a four-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bavaria Makes, a non-profit association dedicated to advancing the industrialisation of additive manufacturing in Bavaria, Germany.
The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration between the AM ecosystems of Singapore and Bavaria, supporting knowledge exchange, joint initiatives and new opportunities for companies, researchers, startups and talent in both regions. The MoU was announced at the Industrial Transformation Asia-Pacific 2026 in Singapore, in the presence of Singapore’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Industry, Ms Gan Siow Huang, and Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Singapore, Her Excellency Dr Bettina Fanghänel.
Under this partnership, NAMIC and Bavaria Makes will collaborate across four areas: joint research development and industrial innovation, startup and enterprise ecosystem development, talent and researcher exchanges, and the exchange of knowledge and thought leadership. The two organisations will also explore opportunities to leverage relevant national and bilateral funding mechanisms to support industry-led collaborative projects.
The partnership builds on several initiatives that are already being developed between organisations in the Singapore and Bavarian ecosystems.
Building joint research and talent capabilities
A*STAR’s Additive Innovation Centre (AIC), the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and TUM Asia are finalising a joint research framework in advanced metal AM. The framework will bring together complementary expertise in metal AM, materials characterisation, digital manufacturing, and industrial translation. The collaboration is envisaged as a four- to five-year research programme, with research priorities to be refined jointly in response to scientific opportunities and industrial needs.
The programme will also facilitate undergraduate and postgraduate talent exchange between AIC and TUM through internships and the A*STAR Research Attachment Programme (ARAP).
Connecting startup and industrial ecosystems
The partnership will also strengthen connections among startups, SMEs, and industrial companies across Singapore and Bavaria. NAMIC and partners in the Bavarian ecosystem, including TUM Venture Labs, are exploring opportunities for startup referrals, market access, corporate and investor connections, and participation in each ecosystem’s innovation platforms.
Bringing international industry perspectives into Singapore’s AM ecosystem
NAMIC and Bavaria Makes are also in talks about how Bavaria Makes could contribute international industry perspectives to NAMIC’s National AM Job-Skills Accreditation Framework (NAAF). The proposed engagement would give NAAF access to perspectives across Bavaria’s industrial AM ecosystem and create another channel for dialogue about emerging AM job-skill requirements and current gaps.
From ecosystem connectivity to industrial impact
Both parties regard the partnership as a benchmark for regional AM ecosystems, aiming to combine complementary strengths, speed up the move from research to industrial-scale production, and turn that into real commercial and economic impact.
“This partnership will bring together the innovation and enterprise ecosystems of Singapore and Bavaria, combining Singapore’s strengths in translational research and development with Bavaria’s research excellence and industrial depth. By aligning our capabilities, including our talent, we seek to accelerate the progression of promising additive manufacturing research into high-impact applications and industrial-scale production.”, said Dr Ho Chaw Sing, Executive Director, A*STAR SERC and Chief Executive Officer, NAMIC.
“Additive manufacturing becomes industrial at scale when strong regional ecosystems are connected globally. Bavaria Makes brings together large industrial companies, SMEs, research institutions and startups across the entire value chain. Through this partnership with NAMIC, we want to connect these capabilities across borders, create concrete opportunities for joint innovation, talent and business, and turn complementary strengths into industrial and economic impact in both regions.” Dr. Karsten Heuser, VP Additive Manufacturing at Siemens AG and Member of the Board of Bavaria Makes e.V.
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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 National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC)
The National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster (NAMIC) is Singapore’s national platform for accelerating the adoption of hybrid and digital additive manufacturing technologies. Hosted by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) and supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF), NAMIC anchors Singapore as a global trusted node for resilient, sustainable, and smart manufacturing. Under the RIE2030 mandate, NAMIC drives transformative socioeconomic outcomes by fostering public-private partnerships and accelerating the commercial scale-up of industrial innovations. We envision the next generation of manufacturing as a seamless, data-driven ecosystem that integrates advanced materials, hybrid manufacturing, robotics, and artificial intelligence to create autonomous production workflows. To support this vision, we facilitate talent development and capability building in the field of additive manufacturing ensuring the workforce is equipped to lead and innovate. By bridging the gap between deep-tech R&D and industrial applications, NAMIC ensures Singapore remains a premier global hub for advanced manufacturing excellence.
About Bavaria Makes
Bavaria Makes is a Bavarian high-tech alliance dedicated to the industrialization of Additive Manufacturing. As a non-profit association, it brings together industry leaders, small and medium-sized enterprises, universities, research institutions, and innovation partners (“Members”) to accelerate the transfer of research into industrial applications, advance technological innovation, and strengthen Bavaria’s position as a globally recognized hub for advanced manufacturing. The association focuses on research and development, technology transfer, workforce development, and ecosystem building across the entire Additive Manufacturing value chain. Bavaria Makes is headquartered in Garching near Munich, Germany.