Materialise returns to growth: aerospace and defense boost Manufacturing
Materialise closed the second quarter of 2026 with revenues growing by 8.1% to 70.1 million euros. The most significant figure concerns the Manufacturing division, which returned to positive territory after the decline of the first quarter thanks to strong demand from the aerospace and defense sectors.
Net profit jumped to 3.3 million euros, compared to just 199,000 euros in the same period of 2025. Adjusted EBITDA rose by 15.7% to 9.6 million.
- Revenue: €70.1 million (+8.1% year over year)
- Adjusted EBITDA: €9.6 million (+15.7%)
- Net profit: €3.3 million (from €199,000 in Q2 2025)
- Manufacturing: +6.7%, driven by aerospace (+40%)
Manufacturing returns to growth thanks to aerospace
Materialise's manufacturing division rebounds by 6,7% after the first-quarter decline, driven by strong aerospace demand.
Materialise Manufacturing reported revenue of €23.6 million in the second quarter, up 6,7% year over year. The return to positive territory comes after a difficult first quarter and represents an important signal for the entire additive manufacturing industry.
The aerospace segment led the recovery with a 40% jump in quarterly revenue. According to CEO Brigitte de Vet-Veithen, aerospace and defense customers are moving beyond the early adoption phase and seeking to scale up their use of additive manufacturing.
“In the aerospace or defense segment, where the value of additive is well established, users already have an additive manufacturing base. Now they want to reach the next level, scale up, and make more and more parts with it,” de Vet-Veithen told investors.
The Lufthansa Technik case
A project with Lufthansa Technik demonstrates how 3D printing can solve concrete aircraft maintenance problems.
Materialise redesigned a small aircraft cabin component for Lufthansa Technik that repeatedly failed and could not be purchased separately. The 3D-printed solution now allows replacing only the defective component instead of the entire assembly.
The project's success led to Materialise being named the official workbench for Lufthansa Technik's metal parts. This type of qualification represents an important step toward large-scale adoption of additive manufacturing in the aviation sector.
Profitability growing faster than revenue
The improvement in profits exceeds that of revenue thanks to cost control and a more focused portfolio.
Adjusted EBIT increased by 26,9%, reaching 3,9 million euros, with a revenue margin moving from 4,7% to 5,5%. Profitability growth exceeded revenue growth, signaling an improvement in operational efficiency.
Management indicated as key factors the increase in sales, cost control, and a more focused business portfolio. However, the gross margin fell from 58,3% to 56,8%, while the absolute value grew by 5,3% to 39,8 million euros.
A significant part of the increase in net profit derives from the improvement in the financial result, moving from -3,05 million to +242,000 euros. In Q2 2025, unfavorable exchange rate changes had weighed on the accounts.
New projects in defense and security
Materialise will lead a research consortium on secure additive manufacturing for military applications.
During the quarter, the Belgian Cyber Force and the Royal Higher Institute for Defence selected Materialise to lead the STRIKE-IT research consortium. The project focuses on secure additive manufacturing for defense applications.
This initiative confirms the growing relevance of 3D printing in the military and security field. The defense sector, together with aerospace, today represents one of the most promising markets for industrial additive manufacturing.
Outlook: from prototyping to series production
The weakness in prototyping demand continues to weigh on results. However, the transition towards larger-scale production applications, especially in aerospace and defense, is offsetting this decline.
Materialise's NPI (New Product Introduction) and Enterprise capabilities will be future growth drivers according to management. The focus shifts from simple prototyping towards qualified production of final components.
article written with the help of artificial intelligence systems
Q&A
What were Materialise's total revenues in the second quarter of 2026?
Materialise closed Q2 2026 with revenues up 8.1%, reaching €70.1 million. This result marks a turnaround compared to the first quarter.
How much did the aerospace segment grow for Materialise during this period?
The aerospace segment led the recovery of the Manufacturing division, posting a 40% jump in quarterly revenues. This growth is driven by customers' willingness to scale additive production.
What result did Materialise achieve with the Lufthansa Technik project?
Thanks to the redesign of a cabin component, Materialise was named the official workbench for Lufthansa Technik's metal parts. The solution allows replacing only the defective part instead of the entire assembly.
How did Materialise's net income move compared to the same period in 2025?
Net income increased significantly, rising from €199,000 in Q2 2025 to €3.3 million in the second quarter of 2026. Adjusted EBITDA also grew by 15.7%.
Why did Materialise's Manufacturing division return to growth?
The Manufacturing division posted a 6.7% rebound, driven by strong demand in the aerospace and defense sectors. Customers are moving beyond the early adoption phase to produce more parts.
