The company’s influence is such that its proprietary filament brand, “Prusament,” has entered common parlance among retailers and users alike.
In the last decade, 3D printing has evolved from a niche hobby into a transformative force reshaping industries, economies, and societies. At the heart of this revolution stands Prusa Research, a Czech company whose journey exemplifies the disruptive potential of additive manufacturing. For risk and insurance professionals, understanding this shift is not merely academic – it is essential to anticipating and managing the emerging risks and opportunities of a decentralised, digitised production landscape.
Founded in 2012 by university student and IT developer Josef Průša, Prusa Research began as a garage project to produce spare parts for DJ equipment. By 2009, Průša had built his own 3D printer, laying the foundation for what would become a global enterprise. Today, Prusa Research employs over 1,000 specialists and exports to more than 160 countries. Its clientele spans hobbyists, SMEs, and industrial giants such as Škoda Auto, Volkswagen, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Airbus and Siemens.
The company’s influence is such that its proprietary filament brand, “Prusament,” has entered common parlance among retailers and users alike.
A Tool for Every Sector
Prusa’s 3D printers are used across diverse sectors, from aerospace and automotive to healthcare and education. Notably, they have been deployed to produce aviation components for the Airbus A350 and medical face shields during the COVID-19 pandemic – 200,000 of which the company donated to Czech hospitals. The versatility of 3D printing enables rapid prototyping, bespoke manufacturing, and localised production, challenging traditional supply chains and redefining operational risk.
Innovation Through Community
One of Prusa’s distinguishing features is its open-source ethos. Users can customise software and hardware, contributing to a vibrant community that has shared over 44,000 printable models. This collaborative innovation is further supported by initiatives like PrusaLab, a public prototyping workshop in Prague, and Prusa Academy, which offers training for beginners.
The company’s educational outreach, including the “Průša pro školy” programme, brings 3D printing into schools and universities, nurturing the next generation of makers. Its support for NGOs – such as Doctors Without Borders and People in Need – extends the technology’s reach to humanitarian efforts in Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Gambia, and Kenya.
ESG and Sustainability
Prusa Research integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into its operations and supply chain. 3D printing inherently reduces carbon footprints by enabling localised production and minimising waste. Prusa’s Prague print farm, with over 200 printers, exemplifies energy-efficient manufacturing. In addition, akey element of the production activity is a “Plastic Recycling” programme converting the production waste and old 3D prints into a new material used by the 3D printers. The company also uses biodegradable materials like cornstarch for filament production, aligning with sustainable packaging and logistics practices.
Responding to Crisis
In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Prusa immediately mobilised its 3D printing community to research where 3D printers might be able to help Ukrainians. The response was many 3D printers being used to produce and donate medical and tactical equipment, including face shields and periscopes for Ukrainian civilians to use. From here, the wider civil community supported Ukraine’s 3D printing initiatives by raising funds through multiple online platforms.
This rapid, decentralised response underscores the resilience and adaptability of 3D printing in crisis scenarios – an important consideration for risk managers assessing supply chain continuity and emergency preparedness.
The Future: AI, Cloud, and Decentralisation
Looking ahead, Prusa Research is embracing artificial intelligence to generate prototypes and new products. Its cloud-based remote printing solution allows users to distribute production across multiple facilities, optimising capacity and reducing logistical dependencies. This decentralisation challenges conventional manufacturing paradigms and introduces new dimensions of cyber risk, data integrity, and liability.
The Impact on the World of Risk and Insurance
For risk and insurance professionals, the implications are profound. As 3D printing becomes more accessible and integrated into everyday life – from food production to smart device fabrication—the boundaries between producer and consumer blur. This shift demands new frameworks for assessing product liability, intellectual property, and operational risk.
Given this pace of transformation, risk and insurance professionals should be mindful that policies and frameworks which fail to keep pace with technological advancements may quickly become outdated. As 3D printing’s capabilities continue to accelerate, staying proactive and regularly revisiting coverage criteria can help prevent unforeseen exposures and ensure that protections remain relevant in a rapidly changing landscape.
About Prusa Research
Prusa Research is a leading manufacturer of open-source 3D printers based in Prague, Czech Republic. Founded by Josef Průša in 2012, the company has grown into a global innovator in additive manufacturing, known for its commitment to sustainability, education, and community-driven development. https://tinyurl.com/2s4r5f2b
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