SBO Expands 3D Metal Printing Capacity in US and UK, Wins Award for Subsidiary

SBO AG, a global high-precision technology group listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange, is making strategic moves to solidify its presence in the 3D metal printing market. The company announced significant capacity expansions in the United States and the United Kingdom, along with a prestigious award for its UK-based subsidiary, 3T Additive Manufacturing Limited. These developments underscore SBO's commitment to diversifying beyond its traditional oil and gas focus and capitalizing on the rapidly growing additive manufacturing sector.

In the United States, SBO has expanded its additive manufacturing capabilities at its Houston, Texas site by adding one VELO XC and two Renishaw 500Q printers, which are designed for high-performance alloys such as Inconel and Titanium. These additions were completed in the second quarter of 2026. Furthermore, two additional VELO XC printers have been ordered and are expected to be operational by the third quarter of 2026. Alongside this equipment expansion, SBO is increasing its manufacturing space in Houston by 50%, bringing the total to over 2,100 square meters. This enhanced capacity, combined with SBO's expertise in high-precision post-processing, is aimed at meeting rising customer demand from industries including space, aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and energy. The company is positioning itself to benefit from the projected growth of the additive manufacturing market, which is expected to rise from approximately USD 1.5 billion in 2025 to USD 4.8 billion by 2030.

In Europe, SBO is also strengthening its market position through its subsidiary, 3T Additive Manufacturing Limited, based in Newbury, UK. 3T, which became part of SBO's Precision Technology division in October 2025, recently won the “Tech SME of the Year” award at the Thames Valley Tech & Innovation Awards 2026. The award recognizes 3T's technical expertise, leadership in material and process data, and continued growth in metal additive manufacturing. In addition to this recognition, 3T has expanded its printing capacity by adding another M400 printer to its fleet of EOS printers in the second quarter of 2026, with a second printer ordered for delivery in the third quarter. The company has also invested in additional post-processing equipment, further enhancing its capabilities.

Klaus Mader, CEO of SBO, emphasized the strategic importance of these moves: “3D metal printing is a key pillar of our diversification strategy, through which we are broadening our business beyond the oil and gas industry and continuing our transformation into a high-precision technology group. It is an attractive growth market: 3D metal printing is growing significantly faster than our core business and is gaining further momentum. We are capitalizing on that dynamic. We leverage our core capabilities in high-performance materials and high-precision manufacturing, offering the entire value chain from a single source, from printing to post-processing. With the new printers and expanded manufacturing space in the US and the award-winning performance of 3T in Europe, we are expanding where demand is highest: in space, aerospace, defense and semiconductors.”

These strategic expansions and recognitions are significant for the additive manufacturing industry, as they demonstrate SBO's commitment to meeting the growing demand for high-performance metal 3D printing solutions. By increasing capacity in key markets and enhancing its technological capabilities, SBO is well-positioned to serve critical industries that rely on precision components and advanced manufacturing techniques. The company's focus on high-performance alloys and its full-service approach, from printing to post-processing, provide a competitive edge in a market that is set to triple in size over the next five years.

For more information about SBO and its operations, visit www.sbo.at.