Aciturri, a Spanish aeronautical company, in conjunction with the Asturian foundation Prodintec, are to create between 15 and 20 job positions in Asturias within 5 years.
The project is built around one of Aciturri’s main strategic points, to research new manufacturing technologies for implementation in applications related to its particular field of activity: the supply of aeronautical pieces to large companies such as Boeing, Airbus and Embraer.
The agreement was launched at an event attended by Francisco Blanco, the Regional Minister for Employment, Industry and Tourism of the Principality of Asturias; Ginés Clemente, the CEO of Aciturri, and Íñigo Felgueroso, the Managing Director of Prodintec.
The projected figures for the Asturian project on additive or 3D manufacturing, include the creation of between 15 and 20 highly qualified job positions over the next 5 years, thanks to the 12 millions euros that Aciturri is set to progressively invest in Asturias. Additive manufacturing, better known as 3D printing, consists in creating a solid, tri-dimensional object by superimposing layers of different materials.
Despite the rapid growth of this manufacturing method, it is still early days in terms of supplying pieces for aeroplanes, given that safety restrictions are particularly rigorous in this field, and progress is usually slow regarding new materials. Experts and entrepreneurs in the sector agree that additive manufacturing has a place within their strategic business interests, which is why it is receiving so much backing.
As announced by Aciturri on its Website, Additive Manufacturing, a company created and implemented with the participation of IDEPA, will undertake its activities in the Gijon Technology Centre, the facilities of its partner, Prodintec, where a highly qualified team, has already been working for over 10 years in the field of additive manufacturing with different materials.
The strategic value of this project is extremely important in strengthening collaboration between public institutions and the private sector, which will help to drive forward research and development in Asturias.