Equinor 3D prints 4,000 metal parts using F3nice recycled materials
Equinor, a global energy company known for its proactive stance on sustainability, has made a significant leap forward in its environmental strategy by 3D printing 4,000 metal components using recycled materials provided by its partner, F3nice. This initiative underscores Equinor’s commitment to minimizing its reliance on virgin materials and aligns with the company’s recently updated Environmental Policy and functional sustainability requirements.
Since 2020, Equinor has increasingly embraced 3D printing technology as a strategic asset within its operations. Adopting this technology has facilitated a shift toward a more circular economic model, enhancing resource efficiency and minimizing environmental impact. By utilizing digital inventories in conjunction with 3D printing, Equinor reduces the necessity for stockpiling physical spare parts, which in turn diminishes transport-related emissions and waste generation throughout its supply chain.
F3nice plays a pivotal role in this transformation by converting metal scraps from Equinor’s operations into high-quality metal powder suitable for additive manufacturing. The collaborative efforts culminated in the landmark project completed in 2024, where 4,000 metal parts were manufactured entirely from 100% recycled metal powder. This achievement exemplifies the practical application of circular economy principles and represents a tangible step towards broader corporate sustainability goals.
Though the impact of 3D printing within Equinor’s operations is currently modest on a corporate scale, the company acknowledges the vast potential of this technology. A clear ambition is to scale its application across more business areas in the coming years, particularly as Equinor strives to meet its recently established net-zero target for renewable activities by 2040.
One of the most significant contributors to emissions in Equinor’s renewable energy segment stems from producing infrastructure using virgin materials. Addressing this challenge requires targeted actions to mitigate the supply chain’s environmental impact. A crucial immediate strategy is to enhance the use of recycled materials, specifically focusing on steel, the most commonly used virgin material in wind farm construction.
As Equinor’s renewable energy operations continue to grow, the volume of materials required for these projects is expected to represent a substantial share of the company’s total material inflow. Therefore, integrating sustainable practices such as recycled content and additive manufacturing will be vital to meeting future environmental and operational targets.
