ABSTRACT
Consumer expectations for increasingly customized products and services along with the introduction of modern production technology are creating a shift in manufacturing size and distribution. A new manufacturing method known as additive manufacturing (AM) is the focus of this chapter. The implications of implementing this revolutionary production method on industrial sustainability are unknown. Thus, this exploratory chapter provides the light on the effects of AM on sustainability. As new products and processes emerge, advancements in material input processing, custom component and product manufacturing, and closing the loop all help to uncover new advantages throughout the product and material life cycle. At each level, there are major challenges to realizing these advantages because of the technology’s infancy. Additionally, this chapter examines the impact of these advantages and downsides on sustainability, including the effects of additive manufacturing on business models and value chain design.
