Astrium Shares Technology With African NGO Partners

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Benin.

[Satellite TODAY 06-13-13] Astrium took its commitment to the “ALM with Africa” initiative a step further this week. The program’s first pilot phase is launched in Porto Novo, Benin, with a comprehensive workshop to open the dialogue between participating parties and identify industrial and training needs. Songhai, a sustainable development NGO based in Benin, is the key partner in this project. The aim of the “ALM with Africa” initiative is to encourage the uptake of affordable, autonomous, and sustainable additive layer manufacturing (ALM) technology by SMEs, NGOs and universities in Africa.

Discussions in Porto Novo will focus on learning when, and how, ALM is most suited for parts manufacturing and identifying the training and technology transfer requirements to build capability and capacity within the African entrepreneur community.

“We are always looking at bringing new players into space – and thanks to “ALM with Africa”, we will see new technologies being used and new suppliers emerging ready to meet the needs of the industry. Much more than simple corporate citizenship, the “ALM with Africa” initiative is also in line with European Union green manufacturing directives and European Space Agency (ESA)’s Clean Space sustainability objectives,” Christian Désagulier, “ALM with Africa” Project leader at Astrium, said in a statement.

Additive Layer Manufacturing is particularly appropriate for developing economies and as an eco-efficient manufacturing process. Astrium will pursue this initiative and work on raising funds to implement the upcoming phases: education and training, building capacity, and industrialization. The company aims to support its African partners in providing training, materials, and the appropriate ALM machines.