Reliefed Technologies is partnering with the global aluminium company Hydro to research and develop new 3D solutions in aluminium, focusing on greater design freedom and more efficient use of resources and energy.
The project is a strategic fit for both companies, who wish to provide customers with new 3D solutions while prioritising environmental impact, from both a product and production perspective.
Reliefed Technologies and the company's patented 3D-iExtrusion® technology enables new design and product development solutions as well as cost and energy-efficient 3D mass production for components and products. The technology and the new solutions it generates have received great interest from the market and resulted in the cooperation between the companies.
"It is vital for Reliefed to team up with strategic partners who have the focus and mindset that refuses to accept status quo," says Mikael Eklund, CEO of Reliefed Technologies. "Hydro's strong position and the common ground shared in terms of finding innovative solutions for a sustainable future, sets the basis for a successful cooperation, which we are really excited about."
The project is to design and execute 3D extrusion tests of a conceptual application profile. Hydro’s Ole Daaland says that with a positive outcome, including achievement of a continuously stable 3D extrusion process, the partners will discuss next steps and look at the potential for commercialisation. The 12-month project gets underway during the next several weeks.
As with Reliefed, Hydro is also working to shape a sustainable future through innovative aluminium solutions. “Our desire to stay in the innovative forefront and to unite competencies with external partners has opened for this collaboration,” says Daaland, who is Vice President Innovation & Technology of Hydro Extruded Solutions.
Some of the project activities will take place in Hydro’s new aluminium research lab in Finspång, Sweden, where the company recently extended its R&D operations.
"Our 3D-iExtrusion technology is a game changer for completely new product solutions in a rational, resource and energy-efficient way. We have identified potential and see value for our customers in several product areas. We look forward to exploring these opportunities together," says Eklund.
