Nikon SLM Solutions and ArianeGroup join forces on large metal parts

Nikon SLM Solutions and ArianeGroup have entered into a strategic partnership to support the production of ultra-large-scale components—exceeding one cubic meter—through metal additive manufacturing using powder bed fusion. The initial machine delivery under this partnership will be exclusive, marking a major milestone for both companies and setting a new benchmark in the aerospace and defense industries.

Among its many activities in the space industry, ArianeGroup is the lead contractor for the Ariane 6 European launcher, developed for the European Space Agency (ESA), and for the M51 strategic missile, which serves as the backbone of France’s oceanic deterrent force under the French Defence Armament Procurement Agency (DGA). The company also provides a comprehensive range of space, defense, and industrial equipment and services, both independently and in collaboration with its subsidiaries: Sodern, Pyroalliance, Nuclétudes, and APP. In the area of space launchers, ArianeGroup’s subsidiary Arianespace is responsible for marketing Ariane 6, while MaiaSpace, another subsidiary, is developing and commercializing the reusable launcher Maia.

Equally owned by Airbus and Safran, ArianeGroup reported revenues of €2.5 billion in 2024. With  8,300 highly qualified employees across France and Germany, ArianeGroup possesses unique expertise in access to space, covering the full lifecycle of civil and military launch systems. This includes design, development, manufacturing, integration, flight preparation, operational readiness, and end-of-life decommissioning.

This collaboration will allow Nikon SLM Solutions to demonstrate further its advanced additive manufacturing capabilities for highly complex, large-format components used by ArianeGroup. These components must meet rigorous quality and productivity standards, opening new possibilities in functional integration and performance optimization.

The powder bed fusion technology employed in this process ensures the precise layering of high-performance materials, enabling the production of geometrically complex parts at a scale previously thought unattainable.

“ArianeGroup is a key global player in the space industry. Our collaboration demonstrates the effectiveness of our technology and showcases how Nikon SLM’s innovations can meet the demanding needs of strategic, high-tech customers,” said Julien Frugier, Sales Manager, Nikon SLM Solutions

This partnership highlights the growing importance of additive manufacturing as a foundational technology in the space industry. By reducing the need for assembly and enabling the creation of lightweight, high-performance components, Nikon SLM Solutions provides ArianeGroup with new opportunities to shorten lead times and lower costs for complex, ultra-large-scale hardware used in critical liquid propulsion applications.