Sindri receives Net Zero Industry funding to cut metal waste in aerospace manufacturing

Sindri Production AB, together with Linköping University and Saab, has been granted funding through Impact Innovation's Net Zero Industry programme, an initiative of Energimyndigheten, Formas and Vinnova. The project, "Near-net-shape blanks for a resource-efficient and resilient manufacturing industry", runs from 1 November 2026 to 31 January 2028.

The call was competitive: 44 applications requested a total of SEK 151 million, with around SEK 80 million available.

The project

Sindri is developing an additive powder-metallurgy process that produces near-net-shape blanks for metal machining. The blanks start close to the final part's shape, so far less material has to be cut away.

The project will test whether materials made with Sindri's process reach properties comparable to conventionally produced material after sintering and/or hot isostatic pressing (HIP). It will also assess the process's relevance for future aerospace applications.

The outcome is a go/no-go decision basis and a roadmap towards component-level demonstrators.

Why it matters

In aerospace manufacturing, 80–95 percent of purchased titanium and aluminium is often machined away. That waste drives up costs, adds to Scope 3 emissions and increases dependence on strategic raw materials.

Energimyndigheten highlighted the project's potential to reduce the need for virgin titanium and aluminium, cut Scope 3 emissions and strengthen industrial resilience and competitiveness. It also noted the high level of innovation in bridging additive manufacturing and conventional machining.

Partners and funding

The project brings together three partners, with total funding of just under SEK 1 million:

1. Saab provides industrial requirements and identifies component families with high material waste.
2. Sindri manufactures test bars and simple test parts using its process.
3. Linköping University characterises density, porosity, microstructure and mechanical properties.

What's next

Work starts on 1 November 2026. We will share results as the project progresses.

This work is carried out with financial support from Impact Innovation – the Net Zero Industry programme, an initiative of Energimyndigheten, Formas and Vinnova.