Royal DSM (Heerlen / The Netherlands; www.dsm.com) has teamed up with UK-based supercar manufacturer Briggs Automotive Company (BAC, Liverpool; www.bac-mono.com) to co-develop 3D printing applications for the new BAC “Mono R” car. The aim of the collaboration is to showcase the potential of additive manufacturing in the automotive industry, thanks to weight reduction and increased opportunities for the customisation of cars.

The Mono R features a series of new 3D-printed parts, including 3D-printed grips for the steering wheel that drivers customise to their own requirements. The car also features 3D-printed air inlets that are lighter, more durable and more cost-effective to produce than traditional inlets. BAC and DSM said with this technology they were able to bring down the weight of the new supercar to 560 kg – a record low, the companies claim.