Dear Readers, The Berlin-Brandenburg region is becoming an important centre for 3D printing and related technologies. Projects such as the 3D bioprinting project of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP and the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) are driving innovation in personalised cartilage cell therapy. (Link to article in this issue). The perKunSt project, part of the AMBER initiative, is also focusing on the development of personalised stents made from biodegradable plastics that could reduce complications following stent implantation. The importance of 3D printing technology is also evident on a global scale: in 2021 alone, the global 3D printing industry will generate €8.33 billion. This figure is expected to rise to €19 billion by 2025, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.2% (source: AMPOWER Report, 2022). The aim of the AMBER (Additive Manufacturing Berlin-Brandenburg) initiative is to establish Berlin-Brandenburg as the leading platform for 3D printing in Europe by 2030. AMBER aims to drive innovative projects in areas such as medical technology, lightweight construction and aerospace by 2030. Supported by a €14 million funding programme, the project creates ideal conditions for companies that want to use or develop additive manufacturing technologies. Numerous start-ups, companies and research institutes in Berlin-Brandenburg are contributing to technological excellence, including Berlin-based 3YOURMIND, a provider of software solutions for industrial 3D printing, BigRep, known for its large-format 3D printing solutions, and Formlabs, which develops 3D printers for medical technology. In Brandenburg, the University of Applied Sciences Wildau is an innovative location for 3D printing, using advanced technologies such as selective laser melting (SLM) and FDM printers. Although not directly involved in 3D printing, Soluterials GmbH in Stahnsdorf develops sustainable nanostructured aluminium materials with high electrical and thermal conductivity. QEP3D GmbH in Potsdam specialises in ceramic 3D printing and offers services using technologies such as laser-induced slipcasting (LIS) and layer-wise slurry deposition (LSD) to produce complex ceramic components. We will also be attending HLTH 2024 in Las Vegas at the end of October, an important event for the future of healthcare. There, we want to deepen the international networking of our players and showcase the innovative strength of our region on the world stage. You can read more about the growth sectors in the capital region and the development of real estate projects in this issue and on our website. Enjoy reading! Yours sincerely,
Your team at the Airport Region Berlin Brandenburg | 
