As we approach the end of the year, it is time to highlight the personalities who have marked the 3D printing industry during the year 2024. Whether they are leaders of large companies, innovators or researchers, these figures have helped transform the additive manufacturing market, influencing it both locally and globally. In an ever-changing market facing ongoing challenges, these personalities drive innovation with resilience and enthusiasm, driving the additive manufacturing industry forward. This year, we've once again selected 10 personalities who we believe have played a pivotal role in the development of 3D printing in 2024. They are listed alphabetically (by last name) – what better way to end the story? 'year ?
Roger Antunez, CEO of Supernova
Roger Antunez is the CEO of Supernova, a Spanish company which was created earlier this year following the division of the business by BCN3D to manage the development and adoption of VLM technology independently. Roger Antunez has extensive experience in additive manufacturing, having worked for 6 years at BCN3D as Managing Director and currently remaining a member of the company's Board of Directors. As for Supernova, we've heard a lot about them this year. They presented Pulse, their production platform, as well as a whole portfolio of materials compatible with their patented technology. It also announced the creation of a “Defense and Space” commercial unit for materials intended specifically for this industry. Finally, the company led by Mr. Antunez participated in Formnext for the first time as an exhibitor and was even nominated for the event's “Startup Award”.
Stefanie Brickwede, Managing Director of MGA and Head of FA at Deutsche Bahn
Stefanie Brickwede has been Managing Director of Mobility Goes Additive since 2016 and Head of Additive Manufacturing at Deutsche Bahn, Germany's national railway company, since 2015. With her years of management experience in the additive manufacturing and mobility, Stefanie has led the Mobility Goes Additive (MGA) network to continued growth. It is considered one of the most important networks in the additive manufacturing and transportation landscape, especially for the German market. It now has more than 150 members in Europe and around the world, bringing together industry experts and encouraging the adoption of technologies in the industry. Under the leadership of Stefanie Brickwede, the network has seen the birth of the medical section Medical Goes Additive and the Women in Additive Manufacturing platform in recent years.
Stefanie Brickwede
Marine Coré Baillais, founder and CEO of La Pâtisserie Numérique
After staying for more than 7 years at Sculpteo, Marine Coré Baillais completed a CAP Pâtisserie with the aim of founding her own company, La Pâtisserie Numérique. This combines French culinary know-how with new technologies, more precisely 3D/4D printing. The company is at the origin of a 3D food printer capable of designing complex shapes and geometries that can be eaten! In 2024, Marine participated in the show Who wants to be my partner, shedding light on this young company and the possibilities of additive manufacturing in the food sector. The French company also signed an agreement with 3Deus Dynamics to build on its dynamic molding process. A rich year for the French startup, which pushed us to include Marine in our list of 2024 personalities!
Photo credits: Chloé Guérout/Gazette Normandie)
Raphaël Criado, tooling and AM designer at Airbus Helicopters
He is the second Frenchman on our list of personalities of the year 2024 and the youngest in our selection! Raphaël Criado is the Vice-World Champion in Additive Manufacturing following his participation in Worldskills 2024. He represented France during this international trade competition in which thousands of young people under 23 took part. After obtaining a bachelor's degree in digital industry engineering, Raphaël joined Airbus Helicopters to create tools adapted to needs via additive manufacturing. He is also the founder of Printysight, a 3D printing service provider.
Raphaël won the silver medal at the 2024 Worldskills
Amy Elliott, scientist at ORNL
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is a multiprogram American science and technology laboratory. Among the different profiles working in the field of additive manufacturing, we highlight Amy Elliott, scientist specializing in 3D printing. Amy has extensive engineering experience and worked for three years at NASA as a co-op engineer. In addition to her role as a scientist, she also leads the Robotics and Intelligent Systems group at ORNL. Throughout 2024, we saw different projects from the lab that used 3D printing. For example, he has gained attention for creating 3D nesting structures for endangered bats, but also for developing 3D printed slides for hydroelectric dams and even for developing a system aimed at improving quality control in additive manufacturing. All thanks to the team of researchers and scientists behind this project, of which Amy is a part.
Amy Elliott next to a 3D printer
Arik Kaufman, CEO of Steakholder Foods
Arik Kaufman is the CEO and co-founder of Steakholder Foods, an Israeli company that uses 3D printing to produce plant-based alternatives to meat, fish and seafood. The company has seen rapid growth over the past two years with the launch of innovative and unique products that mimic the texture of meat and fish, such as steaks, squid, shrimp and many more. This year, for the first time, Steakholder Foods' products received the green light from the US market and the company recently partnered with UMAMI Bioworks to increase production of 3D printed fish fillets, with the aim of market internationally. Arik Kaufman said: “ Our advanced 3D printing technologies are not only a testament to innovation, but also a commitment to sustainability and health. These products represent our mission: to offer consumers food choices that are not only delicious, but also responsible for the planet ».
Rajeev Kulkarni, CSO of Axtra3D and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Caracol
Next on our 2024 People list is a veteran in the world of 3D printing. With 30 years of industry experience, Rajeev Kulkarni is undoubtedly a leading figure in the world of additive manufacturing. His career, which began in 1995 at 3D Systems, saw him collaborate with Chuck Hull and contribute to the 3D printing revolution and the development of new solutions. Mr. Kulkarni remained with 3D Systems until last year, when he left his position as vice president of corporate strategy and development. In the meantime, he has built up a successful track record in angel investing and entrepreneurship. In 2024, he became Chief Strategy Officer of Axtra3D, one of the most innovative companies in the field of resin 3D printing. In addition, for several months he has also been Chairman of the Board of Directors of Caracol, an Italian company booming on the international scene, and North American in particular, renowned for its LFAM solutions.
Photo credits: Axtra3D
Josefine Lissner, CEO et fondatrice de LEAP 71
Josefine Lissner is an aerospace engineer and pioneer in the field of computer engineering. As head of strategic engineering at Hyperganic, she developed the largest 3D printed Aerospike rocket engine and the first fully algorithmically designed rocket engine. She also led a team to develop advanced computational and manufacturing methods. Since 2023, she has been the founder and CEO of LEAP 71, a company whose goal is to drive technological progress using computer engineering. This year, using proprietary Noyron software, LEAP 71 developed the model of the TKL-5 rocket engine, without human intervention, which was then produced by additive manufacturing. A breakthrough that marks an important milestone in the aerospace industry.
Credits photo: Josefine Lissner / LEAP 71
Stephanie Willerth, CEO de Axolotl Biosciences
With the medical sector being one of the biggest users of 3D printing, it's no surprise that many companies in this field have been in the spotlight this year. Among them, the Canadian company Axolotl Biosciences, headed by Stephanie Willerth. Before founding the startup, Stephanie was a professor of biomedical engineering and interim director of the Biomedical Research Center at the University of Victoria, Canada. In 2020, she launched the company to develop bioinks for 3D bioprinting of human tissues, which have been shown to maintain high levels of cell viability after manufacturing. Axolotl Biosciences won this year's Formnext 2024 Startup Award, which was presented to Ms. Willerth at the awards ceremony.
Stephanie Willerth received the prize for most innovative 3D startup at Formnext 2024 (photo credits: Mesago)
Dr. Lei Xue, CEO of BLT Technologies
Bright Laser Technologies, or BLT, is another company that has been in the news a lot this year. This is why we have decided to include its CEO, Dr Lei Xue, in our list of key figures of 2024. The company has particularly distinguished itself in the field of aerospace, for example with the introduction of its new metal BLT-Ti65 for L-PBF and DED processes. This low density, high strength alloy meets the high demands of this industry. In addition, the company has participated in various rocket projects designed partly by additive manufacturing, such as LandSpace's ZhuQue-3 rocket, launched in January, or Orienspace's Gravity-1 rocket, which took off in April. Finally, the company launched its new BLT-S450 3D printer this year, which it also presented at the Formnext 2024 trade fair.
Dr. Lei Xue.
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