Roboze, a company developing additive manufacturing systems for processing superpolymers and composite materials, has obtained Japan’s Nannen-sei certification for components produced in ULTEM 9085 using its ARGO 500 HYPERSPEED and ARGO 1000 HYPERMELT platforms. The certification confirms compliance with the Ministerial Ordinance Technical Standards for Railways issued by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), specifically Article 83, which governs fire safety requirements for materials used inside railway vehicles.
Qualification testing was conducted at the Japan Railway Rolling Stock Machinery Association (JRMA), the body responsible for evaluating railway components and materials under Japanese regulations. Technical support during the certification process was provided by SOLIZE PARTNERS Corporation, an engineering and manufacturing services provider and Roboze’s technology partner in Japan. Testing focused on verifying flame-response behavior in accordance with the Nannen-sei standard, a mandatory requirement for polymer materials used in non-structural interior railway applications.
Nannen-sei certification defines the minimum fire-resistance performance required for polymer components installed inside passenger rail vehicles. Certified applications include interior panels, covers, air-conditioning ducts, and other non-structural elements. Test results confirmed that ULTEM 9085 parts manufactured on both Roboze platforms met the required flame-response criteria. Consistent performance was observed across two different material deposition processes: filament extrusion on the ARGO 500 HYPERSPEED and pellet extrusion on the ARGO 1000 HYPERMELT. This outcome demonstrates repeatability across platforms operating with different feedstock formats under the same regulatory framework.
“We are proud to have supported Roboze in the qualification process according to the Nannen-sei standard,” said Junpei Kise, AM service general manager at SOLIZE PARTNERS Corporation. “The Japanese railway sector demands precision, quality and maximum reliability: characteristics we clearly identified in Roboze technology. This certification is an important step toward broader adoption of additive manufacturing in our market.”
With Nannen-sei validation in place, railway manufacturers operating in Japan can integrate Roboze additive manufacturing systems into production and maintenance workflows while meeting national fire safety requirements. Certified production enables localized, on-demand manufacturing of interior components, reducing reliance on extended supply chains and shortening procurement timelines. Such capabilities are particularly relevant for maintenance operations, where replacement parts must conform to strict regulatory standards while remaining available on short notice.
Use of certified polymer components also supports established maintenance strategies by enabling consistent production of replacement parts throughout a vehicle’s service life. In the Japanese railway sector, where rolling stock is subject to long operational timelines and rigorous safety oversight, repeatable manufacturing processes and material traceability are critical considerations. Certification under an established national standard allows additive manufacturing to be used within these constraints without requiring exemptions or special approvals.
“Achieving Nannen-sei certification in Japan is another important step toward bringing additive manufacturing into highly regulated industries,” said Davide Schiena, EMEA Mobility, Aerospace & Defence Business Development Manager at Roboze. “Japan applies rigorous safety and reliability requirements. Securing this validation demonstrates the capability of our systems to operate within those constraints and supports further collaboration with manufacturers in the railway sector.”
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Featured image shows ULTEM 9085 polymer achieving Japan’s Nannen-sei certification for fire resistance in railway applications. Image via Roboze.
