Replique, a Germany-based ‘venture’ of the BASF ‘business incubator’ Chemovator, has announced a partnership with the German premium home appliance manufacturer Miele. Under the terms of the partnership, Replique has the ‘exclusive right’ to produce and ship high-quality 3-D printed accessories from Miele using its ‘decentralised production network’.

This partnership means Miele can now launch new products with Replique’s 3-D printing platform, while having the flexibility to provide customers new accessories quickly and cost-efficiently from a batch size of just one.

With Replique’s ‘end-to-end’ solution, Miele benefits from an easy process integration that connects existing ordering and e-commerce solutions, automatic order processing and ‘expert knowledge’ in industrial grade 3-D printing.

In May 2020, Miele started its 3D4U project to provide customers with free designs of 3-D printable accessories; now, working with Replique means this idea is now becoming a scalable business model.

Physical accessories no longer need to be stored in large quantities in a warehouse; instead, the designs are stored in a ‘digital inventory’ and are produced on-demand using the latest 3-D printing technologies. Starting with three accessories on the ‘Miele online shop’— including a ‘coffee clip’ — the company is now expanding its product portfolio.

Max Siebert, co-founder of Replique, said: “Certifying processes in 3-D printing is a complex topic that has yet to be really considered in the field of food approval. Working together with our partner Forward AM we are the first 3-D printing solutions provider to implement a 3-D printing process according to GMP (‘good manufacturing practice’) and can therefore guarantee high-process reliability.”

David Buhl, manager of innovation management at Miele Room Care, added: “So far, competing companies have only offered fragmented solutions. Replique is the only partner that has in-depth knowledge of the entire process and the right network to offer a turn-key solution. The company’s business model is scalable and we expect to expand our business in Germany, Europe — or even worldwide — in a short period of time.”