Open innovation in industry, including 3D printing.
Date: 2017-03-24
Institutions: Directorate-General for Internal Policies of the Union
Subjects: competitiveness, computer equipment, economic growth, industrial manufacturing, industrial policy, industrial research, innovation, new technology

At a Glance  
Study in focus  

INDUSTRY, RESEARCH AND ENERGY 

OPEN INNOVATION IN INDUSTRY,  
INCLUDING 3D PRINTING  

BACKGROUND 

Open  innovation  is  a  relatively  recent  concept,  representing  a  paradigm  shift  in  how  companies 
commercialise  industrial  knowledge.  Recently  EU  industrial  policy  suggested  changes  in  research  and 
innovation system and noted the importance to integrate new technological opportunities. 

FOCUS OF THE STUDY 

The  study  Open  Innovation  in  Industry,  Including  3D 
Printing  includes  a  number  of  examples  on  good 
practices  developed  in  different  Member  States.  The 
study  looks  at  the  broad concept  of  open  innovation  as 
such and also in relation with key enabling technologies 
like  3D  printing  which 
inflated 
expectations.    They  should  be  viewed  as  parallel  and 
even  reinforcing  developments.  Further  the  document 
makes  policy  recommendations  for  actions  at  EU, 
national and regional level. 

is  on  the  peak  of 

KEY FINDINGS 

1. Open innovation and industrial 3D printing 

The  relatively  new  open  innovation  concept  combined  with  the  new  industrial  3D  printing  (additive 
manufacturing)  technology have  an enormous potential. They  are  considered  as  an important  part of 
the  new  industrial  revival  of  the  European  economy.  3D  printing  is  starting  to  change  the  process  of 
producing  industrial  goods.  In  contrast  to  common  techniques  like  tooling  and  welding  the  new 
method  uses  successive  layers  of  material  and  creates  objects  that  can  be  of  almost  any  shape  or 
geometry.  The inclusion of ICT technologies in the process significantly enhances flexibility and control. 

Directorate General for Internal Policies  
Policy Department A: Economy and Scientific Policy, Author: Frédéric Gouardères, Magdalena Dimova 
European Parliament, PE 569.969 

EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Policy Department A: Economy and Scientific Policy  

2. Open source innovation and 'Fab labs' 

The  potential  of  open  source  technology  for  newly  emerging  businesses  and  start-ups  combined 
with  the  comparatively  new  but  quite  promising  3D  consumer  printing  technology  could  have  a 
great  impact  on  the  economic  ecosystem  of  European  regions.  The  3D  consumer  printing  at  the 
moment is used mainly in the so called ‘fab labs’. These are small scale fabrication laboratories that 
offer  digital  products  of  a  limited  scale.  ‘Fab  labs’  have  the  potential  of  playing  a  key  role  in  the 
revival of local manufacturing and also linking the regional products to the international production 
networks. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

The  study    introduce  recommendations  for  future  and  existing  policies  at  three  levels  –  EU, 
national and regional, for example:   

•  Lower  the  administrative  burden  on  intellectual  property,  new  technologies  and 

developments, and regulations that hinder new business activities.  

•  Allocate  proper  funding  through  the  Horizon  2020  Programme  aimed  at  new  business 
models,  linking  of  social  and  technological  aspects  of  innovation,  environmental  issues, 
workplace  innovation  and  qualification.  Involvement  of  ‘fab  labs’  in  regional  innovation 
policies should be encouraged as well as their common work on European projects. 

•  Encourage Member States to lower the administrative burden at national level but 

also focus on innovation policy which is within their competency.  

•  Help  regions  to  acquire  the  necessary  knowledge  to  boost  open  source  and 
innovation communities and launch local nodes with actors from traditional industry 
and the digital economy. 

Scan QR code to access the study    

Disclaimer 
The  content  of  this  document  is  the  sole  responsibility  of  the  author  and  any  opinions  expressed  therein  do  not  necessarily 
represent the official position of the European Parliament. It is addressed to the Members and staff of the EP for their parliamentary 
work. Reproduction and translation for non-commercial purposes are authorised, provided the source is acknowledged and the 
European Parliament is given prior notice and sent a copy. 
This document is available on the Internet at: www.europarl.europa.eu/supporting-analyses 
Contact: Poldep-Economy-Science@ep.europa.eu 
ISBN: QA-02-15-914-EN-N  (paper)/ 978-92-823-8382-7(pdf)     doi: 10.2861/309445 (paper)/10.2861/493276 (pdf)    Catalogue: QA-02-15-914-EN-C/ QA-02-15-914-EN-N 

© European Union, 2015