3D printing is an innovative manufacturing process whereby an object is built up layer by layer from a 3D computer design. A variety of printing technologies can be used, which were developed for the manufacturing industry and hence typically process plastics, ceramics, and metals. 3D printing is used for the production of objects made from both single materials as well as combinations of materials, in which each materials may be deposited by a separate print head or other deposition step. Over the last couple of years TNO has been investigating printing technologies for their applicability in new areas and as a result TNO has become world leading in the area of 3D food printing. The success in 3D printing complete food products from a wide range of base ingredients and the realization that many of these ingredients are identical to, or share great similarities with, pharmaceutical ingredients

(excipients) has lead to an expansion of TNO’s activities to the area of pharma. As all main 3D printing technologies (FDM, SLS, PBP, IJP, SLA) are available within TNO, a wide range of printing research is possible.