EC issues call for 3D printed valves and masks

Brussels – The European Commission is asking industrial companies to make additive manufacturing capabilities available for the production of medical devices and equipment.

"There is an urgent need for masks and 25,000 ventilators are needed for respirators, they can be 3D printed,” said Ulla Engelmann, head of unit for advanced technologies, clusters and social economy at the EC’s DG GROW section.

“You might have these ‘fab-labs’ in your clusters which could be activated to work directly with the hospitals,” added an appeal from the European Union official.