SUpporting Sme TrAnsformation wIthiN 3Dp

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B North Sea

Date of latest update: 2026-05-13

Description

Description (EN):

Building on insights from the Northsea programme project COM3 SUSTAIN-3D identify barriers, solutions and mitigating initiatives to help SMEs implement additive manufacturing (AM). The partnership consists of knowledge Institutions and Business developers with a strong outreach to SMEs. Their main objective is to ensure, that companies can profit from new technologies and be at the forefront of R&D. Implementing new technology like AM is in its essence a wicked problem. On the one side, SMEs know, that AM will help them innovate and stay ahead of competition. On the other hand, it is hard to grasp exactly what AM can do in their production. Some SMEs invest heavily in AM. But often investments aren't monetized. Deployment of already installed AM machinery is in some cases under 3%. Others don't invest or invest in cheap machines that do not meet expectations. All three scenarios slows transition toward Industry 4. 0. SUSTAIN-3D seek to mitigate this issue. Studies of the problem point to complex causes: lack of skilled workers and innovators lack of (digital and structural) infrastructure and lack of objective institutional and digital support. A complex problem like this is beyond any one company to solve. Companies across DK, BE and NL have teamed up with knowledge institutions, and local industry networks to analyze and develop and implement solutions to the problem. The overall goals of the project are to: Create demand: More SMEs need to invest in the right AM technology Create effect: Expensive production grade machines must be utilized better Ensure, that SMEs invest in the right equipment SUSTAIN3D will: Asses if the CORA/COM3 model for digital transformation can be meaningfully applied to the case of AM-technology. This will create a foundation for the partners to work on also after the project period Implement local action plans related to Skill, Services and Infrastructure. This will ensure after effect Help 40 SMEs and 7 partners to increase capacity for implementing AM

Actual Achievements (EN):

The SUSTAIN-3D project has achieved substantial progress in overcoming barriers to additive manufacturing (AM) adoption among SMEs in the North Sea Region. Through transnational collaboration, the project implemented 15 innovative pilots and developed the AM Metroline, a structured roadmap for AM skill development. Key pilots, such as Borrow a Printer and Test Before Investing, successfully reduced entry barriers, enabling SMEs to explore AM with minimal risk. The project emphasized skills development through tailored programs, including quick training modules, microdegrees, and advanced masterclasses, targeting a diverse range of stakeholders, from students and employees to business leaders. Workshops addressing Skills, Services, and Infrastructure fostered cross-border cooperation between Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, resulting in practical, scalable solutions. Local action plans tailored to regional needs ensured sustainability. For example, Denmark’s Bring Your Own Print initiative and France’s SUSTAIN-3D community significantly boosted SME engagement and awareness. These initiatives contributed to broader adoption of AM technologies while promoting sustainable practices such as resource efficiency and circular economy principles. Key results include the establishment of the SUSTAIN-3D community with 72 members from 55 organizations, the expansion of AM Metroline training, and the successful uptake of pilot solutions by seven partners. The project’s transnational approach demonstrated the value of collaboration, combining diverse expertise to address complex challenges while laying the foundation for future initiatives and further digital transformation in the North Sea Region. Read more in section 11

Website: https://www.interregnorthsea.eu/sustain-3d

Thematic information

Clustering and economic cooperation SME and entrepreneurship

Type of intervention: 023 Skills development for smart specialisation, industrial transition, entrepreneurship and adaptability of enterprises to change

Partners (6)

Lead Partner: Business Viborg

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 2610 4793

Address: Erik Ejegods Vej 16, 8800 Viborg, Denmark

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Infrastructure and (public) service provider

Website: http://www.centerforindustri.dk

Total budget: EUR 119 902.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 71 941.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 59.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 47 961.00

GBER schemes / de minimis:

FME

Name: FME

Partner’s ID if not PIC: NL804575903B01

Address: Zilverstraat 69, 2718RP zoetermeer, Netherlands

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: http://www.FME.nl

Total budget: EUR 105 538.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 63 323.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 42 215.00

GBER schemes / de minimis:

Herningsholm Erhvervsskole og gymnasier

Name: Herningsholm Erhvervsskole og gymnasier

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 17783092

Address: Lillelundvej 21, 7400 Herning, Denmark

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Education/training centre and school

Website: https://www.herningsholm.dk/

Total budget: EUR 65 167.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 39 100.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 59.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 26 067.00

GBER schemes / de minimis:

Thomas More Kempen vzw

Name: Thomas More Kempen vzw

Partner’s ID if not PIC: 0455.411.733

Address: Zandpoortvest 60, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Education/training centre and school

Website: https://www.thomasmore.be/

Total budget: EUR 150 293.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 90 176.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 60 117.00

GBER schemes / de minimis: GBER

EuraMaterials

Name: EuraMaterials

Partner’s ID if not PIC: FR 18851666016

Address: 41 rue des Métissages, 59330 Tourcoing, France

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: https://euramaterials.eu/

Total budget: EUR 56 398.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 33 839.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 60.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 22 559.00

GBER schemes / de minimis:

FLAM3D

Name: FLAM3D

Partner’s ID if not PIC: BE 0872.622.292

Address: Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 935, 9052 Gent, Belgium

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Business support organisation

Website: http://www.flam3d.org

GBER schemes / de minimis:

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

FME

SUpporting Sme TrAnsformation wIthiN 3Dp

Partners and Projects info

Herningsholm Vocational school

SUpporting Sme TrAnsformation wIthiN 3Dp

Partners and Projects info

Thomas More Kempen vzw

SUpporting Sme TrAnsformation wIthiN 3Dp

Partners and Projects info

EuraMaterials

SUpporting Sme TrAnsformation wIthiN 3Dp

Partners and Projects info

Business Viborg

SUpporting Sme TrAnsformation wIthiN 3Dp

Partners and Projects info

FLAM3D

SUpporting Sme TrAnsformation wIthiN 3Dp

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Small project

Operation of strategic importance (OSI) or above EUR 5 million

Project name (EN): SUpporting Sme TrAnsformation wIthiN 3Dp

Project acronym: SUSTAIN-3D

Project ID: YAajl081j

Project start date: 2023-09-01

Project end date: 2025-02-28

Project status: closed

Relevant mentions and prizes:

false

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 497 298.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 298 379.00

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 60.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 298 379.00. Co-financing rate, 60.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Deliverables:

Desk Research / Overview of existing am projects in EU and relevance of these related to the objectives of SUSTAIN-3D. Desk research will feed into the kick-off workshop and thematic workshops.
Kick-off workshop / This workshop is hosted by Business Viborg. Its purpose is to initiate the project by framing the agenda of AM adaption by SMEs. It is also an important purpose to enable partners to meet for the first time to strengthen the cohesion of the partnership. Key topics addressed: Introduction of the project Introduction of the CORA/COM3 model Discussions format of upcoming thematic workshops Social activities
Local stakeholder group meetings / Local stakeholder groups are tasked with: Giving input to and participate in workshops in the project. They also serve in codeveloping the local action plan Local supporter in the implementation of the local action plans. Meeting in these groups are therefore key activities in the realization of this project.
Thematic Workshops / Each workshop hosted and researched by one of the project partners at their geographical location. This includes desk research on the specific theme and summing-up of ws results. Objective: uncover barriers, solutions and possibly mitigating initiatives that help SMEs gain access to the necessary skills to successfully implement AM. The workshops will also evaluate the usefulness of the CORA/COM3 model as a framework for describing the field skills within AM
Final conference / The conference will be held online. To ensure the best possible participation.
Strategy for using CORA/COM3 / The outputs of the kick-off workshop are: Strengthening of the common understanding of the project scope; Joint strategy for using CORA/COM3 in upcoming thematic workshops; Strengthening the social cohesion of the partnership to enable open discussions in the thematic workshops and the project as a whole.
Assessment of using the CORA/COM3 / Through analysis of the project outputs and interviews with the partners the project will make an assessment of the usability of the CORA/COM3 methodology for implementing AM in SMEs.
Communication / The lead partner will coordinate communication: articles and/or newsletters after WS and final conference. To create visibility of the Interreg North-sea and EU funding in general the partners will follow the standard requirements stated in fact sheet 24: Communication As this project is directed at involving SMEs to ensure better and more qualified uptake of AM-technology the partners in the project have a deep self-interest in communicating to this audience through social media channels, homepages and direct mail. All LSG meetings will be communicated directly to LSG members and results will be communicated on the partners' local homepages and Social Media platforms (Linked-in) using the #wearethenorthsea hashtag Communication will be on the agenda at each project management team meetings.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO83) Strategies and action plans jointly developed: 256
(RCO84) Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects: 756

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Delivered result indicator(s):

(RCR79) Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations: 5
(RCR104) Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations: 6

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B North Sea

Latest month of project-partner-call data publication

2026-05

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

65 / 65 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

832 / 832 (100%)

Notes on the data

There are discrepancies in this programme's financial data in keep.eu. Namely, in one or more cases, the sum of the project partners' budgets exceeds the total budget of the respective project. Interact is working with the Programme to correct those figures.

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SUpporting Sme TrAnsformation wIthiN 3Dp

Description

Thematic information

Partners (6)

Partners map

Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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