AIMEN Technology Centre in O Porriño, Galicia, has completed the production of Spain’s first large-format 3D‑printed cryogenic tank designed for aircraft hydrogen storage. The 1.5 m diameter demonstrator is part of the EU-funded Overleaf programme, led by ACITURRI, which targets zero-emission aviation through lightweight and sustainable structures.
The printed tank features a dual-wall architecture: an inner liner of advanced biobased thermoplastic and an outer shell of carbon fiber composite. It is engineered to withstand cryogenic temperatures below –250 °C. Manufacturing occurred in a purpose-built robotic 3D-printing cell with infrared-assisted heating for print fidelity. The build process lasted over 100 hours continuously, overseen via thermal‑camera monitoring.
In partnership with French research centre CANOE, AIMEN has advanced the development of a sustainable thermoplastic reinforced with natural fibers for this application. AIMEN says the demonstrator marks “a technological solution that will change the manufacturing of sustainable aviation components”
This milestone underscores AIMEN’s leadership in integrating advanced manufacturing, robotics, and sustainable materials, a strategic step toward hydrogen-powered flight and decarbonizing aviation.
About the Overleaf project
The cryogenic tank is part of the Overleaf project, a European Union-funded initiative focused on creating hydrogen-powered aircraft structures through advanced manufacturing and sustainable materials. Coordinated by Spanish aerospace firm Aciturri, Overleaf brings together research centers, universities, and industry partners across Europe to develop new composite materials and large-format 3D printing techniques for zero-emission aviation. The project aims to reduce the environmental impact of future aircraft by replacing conventional metal components with lighter, bio-based composites and streamlining production through digital design and robotic automation.
Additive manufacturing for aerospace and hydrogen infrastructure
AIMEN’s hydrogen tank project reflects a growing trend in the use of additive manufacturing (AM) to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen in aerospace and energy systems. Across the industry, AM is enabling the creation of optimized, lightweight, and thermally resilient components essential for hydrogen propulsion. For example, Conflux Technology has developed 3D printed heat exchangers for the hydrogen-powered Vertiia VTOL aircraft, improving thermal management in next-generation flight systems. In the energy sector, Siemens Energy is leveraging AM to convert gas turbines to run on 100% hydrogen by 2030, while Shell and GE Additive have collaborated on a 3D printed oxygen-hydrogen micromixer for green energy generation. These developments underscore additive manufacturing’s growing role in enabling zero-emission aviation and scalable hydrogen infrastructure.
Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to keep up with the latest 3D printing news.
You can also follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry YouTube channel to access more exclusive content.
At 3DPI, our mission is to deliver high-quality journalism, technical insight, and industry intelligence to professionals across the AM ecosystem.
Help us shape the future of 3D printing industry news with our 2025 reader survey.
Featured image shows the 3D printed cryogenic hydrogen tank developed by AIMEN. Image via AIMEN Technology Centre.
