DEEP Manufacturing, a specialist in large-scale additive manufacturing, has achieved full Approval of Manufacture (AoM) from classification society DNV, marking a major milestone in the industrial adoption of Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM).
The approval builds on the company’s earlier Approval in Principle (AiP) granted by DNV Maritime and covers WAAM production for pressure vessels, pressure vessels for human occupancy, as well as hull structures and equipment. Under DNV’s AoM framework, manufacturers are assessed on their ability to consistently produce materials and components in line with defined specifications and classification rule requirements.
DEEP Manufacturing CEO Peter Richards described the certification as a defining achievement for the company. He noted that being among a small group of manufacturers worldwide and the only one in Europe to obtain this level of approval reflects both the maturity of DEEP’s technology and the robustness of its production processes. According to Richards, the certification confirms the company’s readiness to deliver large, safety-critical WAAM components that meet the highest industry standards.
From DNV’s perspective, the approval is the result of long-term collaboration. Thorsten Lohmann, Head of Materials & Welding at DNV Maritime, said the organization was pleased to grant the AoM for WAAM, highlighting the productive cooperation between the two companies and DEEP Manufacturing’s decision to work with DNV as its classification partner.
DEEP Manufacturing emphasized that the certification demonstrates WAAM’s ability to comply with established international safety and quality standards. The approval is expected to support broader adoption of WAAM-produced components across offshore, maritime, subsea, and energy sectors, where reliability and structural integrity are critical.
Looking ahead, Richards framed the development as a turning point for the industry, suggesting that additive manufacturing is entering a new phase of acceptance in heavy industrial applications. He added that the company’s focus remains on helping customers build more adaptable and resilient operations by fully leveraging the advantages of additive manufacturing.
The wider WAAM landscape continues to evolve alongside DEEP Manufacturing’s achievement. Recent collaborations and technological developments from defense applications to high-precision micro-WAAM systems and large-format industrial printers highlight the growing versatility of WAAM, spanning both fine-detail production and high-volume, large-scale manufacturing needs.
