Nikon SLM and RINA partner on Additive Manufacturing for hydrogen-related applications
Nikon SLM Solutions AG, based in Lübeck, Germany, and RINA, Genoa, Italy, have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to establish the H2AM Open Lab project, which will focus on the advancement of Additive Manufacturing within hydrogen-related technologies and applications. The initiative aims to accelerate material and process innovation targeting critical sectors, including green steel production and the oil & gas industry.
As global industries navigate the energy transition, the demand for components that can withstand aggressive hydrogen environments is growing rapidly, it was stated. The joint initiative will be hosted near Rome at RINA’s Centro Sviluppo Materiali (CSM) – a centre for applied research on advanced materials and home to one of the company’s Open Innovation Hubs. The companies’ focus will be on qualification support, advanced materials, and the development of Additive Manufacturing process parameters for enhanced performance and corrosion resistance.
“We are proud to partner with RINA to expand the frontiers of AM for the hydrogen economy”, said Sam O’Leary, CEO of Nikon SLM Solutions. “Their proven expertise in metallurgy and material science, combined with our leadership in high-productivity metal AM systems, creates a powerful foundation for developing next-generation solutions in this high-growth field.”
The centre will support R&D efforts around hydrogen embrittlement (HE), high-temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA), and materials designed specifically for hydrogen service environments. These efforts will also address industry-specific requirements for qualification, sustainability, and reliability – offering OEMs a collaborative platform to develop and test components under real-world conditions.
“By creating this H2AM Open Lab Nikon SLM Solutions, we are building the capabilities needed to drive transformative change across the hydrogen supply chain”, said Michele Budetta, CEO of RINA Consulting. “This collaboration opens the door to safer, more efficient components that meet the unique demands of hydrogen infrastructure and future energy systems”.
The Open Lab will be open to OEMs across industries to explore design, production, and validation of AM parts using advanced materials including steels, aluminium alloys, nickel-based alloys, and more. No specific machine installation is planned initially, as the hub will focus on shared research, simulations, and material testing.
