Best R&D centers for textile 3D printing in Catalonia

This HP center is a global benchmark in additive manufacturing, featuring massive infrastructure and hundreds of experts dedicated to research and development. Its focus on advanced materials and industrial applications, including Multi Jet Fusion technology, positions it as a key player for future innovations in textile 3D printing. The capacity to generate over 150 patents annually underscores its impact on advancing 3D printing technology.

The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya stands out for its Doctoral program in Textile and Paper Engineering and its Master's in Textile Design and Technology, training high-level R&D researchers. Its researchers have developed new 3D polymer resins from natural sources, applicable to 3D printing on textiles. Furthermore, CIM UPC is a pioneer in additive manufacturing, investigating adhesion between 3D-printed polymers and textile substrates.

The Ateneu de Fabricació de Gràcia is a key center for innovation in digital fabrication, including 3D printing, and its focus on integrating these technologies with craft practices is relevant to textile 3D printing. It offers access to advanced tools and training, making it a valuable resource for developing new applications in this field in Catalonia.

Eurecat Mataró is a key R&D center for textile 3D printing in Catalonia, thanks to its Fab Lab – Reimagine Textile. This laboratory offers an experimentation and prototyping space with advanced digital manufacturing tools, including 3D printing capabilities applied to textiles. It drives innovation and reinvention of the Catalan textile/fashion sector through technology.

Fab Lab Barcelona, through its Fab Textiles Lab initiative, is a leading research and development center for textile 3D printing. Its work focuses on the convergence of biomaterials, electronics, and digital fabrication for clothing design, including the creation of 3D printed garments inspired by biomimicry. The lab actively explores 3D printed fashion and smart, sustainable, and biodegradable textiles, positioning itself at the forefront of innovation in this field.

IAAC is a research and education center that drives innovation in additive manufacturing with sustainable materials, including the development of 3D printed structures using earth and organic fibers. Its focus on computational design and robotics for bio-material construction demonstrates a commitment to advanced 3D printing research, relevant for future textile applications.

Fabricademy BCN specializes in the research and development of new technologies applied to the textile field, including 3D printing. Its intensive six-month program trains participants in 3D modeling and prototyping, fostering innovation in biomaterials and digital textiles.

Wasi 3D stands out for its focus on large-scale 3D printing with sustainable materials, positioning it as a relevant R&D center for innovation in textiles. Its exploration of additive manufacturing applications and advanced materials contributes to the advancement of new techniques in the textile sector. The company investigates how 3D printing can transform design and architecture, which can extend to the creation of smart and functional textiles.