The MAC is an LFAM-powered production facility equipped with highly automated, digitally driven manufacturing processes and built around a collaborative model to develop the boats of the future. CEAD B.V. (Delft, Netherlands) has launched the Maritime Application Center (MAC), an initiative focused on accelerating the adoption of automated, sustainable production in the maritime sector. The MAC is positioned as a innovation hub where advanced manufacturing, material development and application engineering converge to tackle the complexity of boatbuilding and related maritime components.

The MAC is a 2,300-square-meter space right around the corner of CEAD’s headquarters where boats are to be developed and produced through a highly automated, digitally driven manufacturing process. MAC’s launch introduces the company’s two-fold vision for marine. First, to provide production capacity supporting shipbuilders and maritime manufacturers who are not yet ready to adopt large-scale 3D printing in-house, but are eager to reap the benefits of a highly automated production process. Second, to accelerate application development and therefore adoption of large-scale 3D printing technology in the maritime industry by working closely with industry partners and existing CEAD customers — sharing knowledge, co-developing solutions and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible together.

The MAC aims to demonstrate what the boat factory of the future looks like: a high-output, compact, automated facility where just two to three operators could produce more than 100 boats per year, depending on the specific factory configuration. At the MAC, CEAD is currently scaling production capacity to manufacture at least 100 boats per year, to supply the market and to actively demonstrate technical feasibility, efficiency and profitability of this factory model. 

Overcoming traditional shipbuilding complexities

Shipbuilding today requires the combined efforts of an entire shipyard ecosystem, relying heavily on skilled labor, large-scale infrastructure and complicated, interconnected value streams. Many shipyards have spent decades optimizing for cost and specialization, creating highly segmented workflows and centralized resources. However, recent growth in demand is straining shipyards already facing surge in employee retirements, aging infrastructure and day-to-day operational inefficiencies, making it difficult to scale or adapt quickly to market demands. There is also an increasing demand to lower the maritime industry’s impact on greenhouse gas emissions, as targets set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) requires organizations to transition toward more sustainable manufacturing approaches.

CEAD believes that the current conditions within the maritime sector make it particularly well-suited for large-scale 3D printing technology, which addresses many of the bottlenecks the industry currently faces. For example, large-scale 3D printing technology enables the production of boat hulls directly from a digital file, eliminating time-consuming, waste-generating steps and reduces reliance on skilled manual labor. In doing so, it helps lower costs, shorten lead times and enables manufacturers to quickly adapt to changing market demands in both design and production capacity. 

CEAD has developed a dedicated system, based on its extrusion technology, specifically designed to 3D print boat hulls in an automated manner. With this dedicated machine, the company says it has created a production technology that enables boatbuilding in a manner “not feasible with standard robotic 3D printers.” These machines form the foundation of a production facility with the flexibility to scale output as demand grows. Unlike traditional shipyards, this boat factory also operates without the need of heavy infrastructure, zoning or labor demands, making it viable in light industrial or even urban environments like the city of Delft.

CEAD’s history in composites 3D printing

Since its start in 2014, CEAD has placed R&D, as well as customer success, at the core of its mission. The company is known for composite large-format 3D printing technologies that enable the automated production of large, complex composite parts. It’s commitment to R&D is evident in the portfolio that CEAD has developed, including robotic- and gantry-based solutions, a range of pellet extruders and additional functionalities such as ATLAM, scan-2-mill, datalogging and more. 

The MAC is a direct result of CEAD’s vision to go beyond delivering a machine, but to offer complete, integrated systems that provide an end-to-end solution for its customers. The MAC embodies this approach, where broad-based research is aimed at enabling the successful and accelerated adoption of large-scale 3D printing within the maritime industry.

Innovation through partnerships

Recognizing the complexity of 3D printing entire boats, the MAC is built on a collaborative model. CEAD works closely with industry partners and provides a platform to learn and grow. Together, partners can explore everything from 3D printing design for boat hulls, material development for marine environments to process optimization and software innovations.

The MAC is open to collaborations to shape the future of maritime manufacturing.

“We bring deep expertise in large-scale 3D printing technology, but true innovation happens when we combine that with the knowledge our industry partners have: whether it’s about boat design, regulatory requirements or real-world performance,” emphasizes Charléne van Wingerden, chief business development officer at CEAD. “It’s that exchange of expertise that makes collaboration so powerful.”

Application focus: 3D printing industrial boat hulls

At the heart of the MAC’s activities is a clear focus: developing and refining the process of 3D printing hulls for the professional maritime sector. It is currently targeting boats up to 12 meters in length, intended for industrial or defense applications, such as workboats, for example (patrol boats, fishing boats, supply boats, etc.) and unmanned surface vessels (USVs). The team is engaged in hands-on experimentation, exploring every aspect of the application.

The company recently launched CEAD HDPro, a new material engineered to outperform conventional HDPE in heavy-duty maritime applications. These efforts led to the successful production of its first full-scale fishing boat using CEAD HDPro, completed in just 88 hours of printing time.

Fuel tank print.

“It’s an exciting learning process. We’re learning by doing: testing, tweaking and printing in real-time. We have to figure out new things, but that’s exactly how real innovation happens,” says Maarten Logtenberg, CTO at CEAD. “The MAC is intended as a place to educate, while continuing to learn and evolve ourselves.”

Targeting a future of local, automated and green manufacturing

In order to reach the targets set by the IMO to reduce carbon emissions in the maritime industry, collaboration and innovation are essential, CEAD says. Large-scale 3D printing technology can empower shipbuilders and operators to produce vessels and components where they’re needed and when they’re needed. Additionally, the MAC’s setup can be readily replicated at strategic locations around the world, closer to the point of use in nontraditional, compact environments.

The MAC serves as a blueprint for an approach CEAD calls a “CEAD-powered microfactory” These high-output, compact, automated production facilities are build around CEAD’s technology where the machines are tailored to specific applications. Thanks to the modularity of the systems, this microfactory model is not limited to one sector, but applicable across industries. While the MAC is specifically designed for the maritime industry, other microfactories have already been realized, such as the recently launched Haddy facility in Florida.

The MAC, though already operational, will officially open its doors on June 20, 2025. CEAD invites maritime professionals, shipbuilders, designers and OEMs to attend the launch or learn more about the initiative. Interested parties can request an invitation by emailing mac@ceadgroup.com directly.

» Publication Date: 20/05/2025

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