There are stories that seem straight out of a movie. Stories in which intuition and passion can lead to unexpected heights. Stories like that of Roboze, the Italian company that is rewriting the rules of industrial manufacturing. And it all began with the intuition of Alessio Lorusso, a young entrepreneur from Bari who recognised the potential of additive manufacturing to revolutionise industrial production.
An ambitious vision
“Roboze,” Lorusso explained in an interview with SkyTG24, “stems from a passion I had as a teenager: I built my first 3D printer at the age of 17, and that’s when I began to envision the future of manufacturing. I saw the potential to produce goods without generating waste, and I saw the opportunity to bring manufacturing back to where it had been lost – namely, to Europe and America.”
The first beltless prototype dates back to 2008. At that time, many 3D printers were still limited to rapid prototyping, but Lorusso realised that the technology could do much more than just print plastic figurines: it could replace metal. The real breakthrough, however, could only be achieved by improving precision, repeatability, and the materials used.
Shaping the project
The project officially took shape in 2013 with the founding of Roboze in Bari. The aim is ambitious: to make professional 3D printing accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises, offering a level of precision previously achievable only at prohibitive cost.
In 2015, the first official machine was launched, introducing the beltless system to the market – a revolutionary patent for the mechanical movement of print heads, now recognised in almost 160 countries. This technology offers micrometre-level precision and greater reliability than traditional systems. At the same time, Roboze is focusing on the use of superpolymers and high-performance composite materials.
International growth
Thanks to materials such as PEEK, Roboze’s 3D printers can produce components that withstand extreme temperatures and pressures – conditions in which standard plastics would fail – and can replace much heavier and more expensive metal parts. These systems have caught the attention of major industrial players and research centres, drawn by the prospect of producing components capable of withstanding extreme conditions at a lower cost.
In just a few years, Roboze has grown from a start-up into a global company and has opened offices in Europe and the United States, a strategic market for the advanced manufacturing industry.
On-demand production and digital manufacturing
In recent years, Roboze has expanded its business model by introducing a distributed manufacturing network: the Roboze Advanced Manufacturing Network.
This service enables companies to order components on demand, drawing on a global network of certified manufacturing centres. The result is a new industrial model that allows for reduced stock levels, local production, and more resilient supply chains.
Sustainability and the future
One of the most interesting aspects of the Roboze model is its impact on industrial sustainability. Additive manufacturing makes it possible to reduce material waste, lower energy consumption, and minimise the transport of components.
Looking ahead, Roboze continues to invest in research and development to further expand the use of superpolymers and improve the performance of its technologies.
An example of Italian innovation
Today, Roboze – with over 150 employees and offices stretching from Bari to Houston, Texas – remains true to its roots: a blend of technological craftsmanship and the vision of those seeking to revolutionise the global supply chain.
The story of Roboze shows that in Italy, too, it is possible to create deep-tech companies that can compete on a global scale. With a clear vision and a strong drive for innovation, the company has transformed an emerging technology into a practical solution for industry.
In a world where manufacturing is becoming increasingly digital, decentralised and sustainable, Roboze is at the forefront of this evolution – and a prime example of how the future of industry can be shaped by an Italian start-up.
Well done to those who are taking Italian technology to the world!
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