Riyadh - Sharikat Mubasher: Immensa, MENA’s largest digital manufacturer, announced launching the world’s first guideline on the digitization of spare parts, in collaboration with DNV (Det Norske Veritas).

The new guideline is considered a breakthrough innovation and is crucial for the energy sector, with the Middle East’s energy spare parts market valued at $32 billion alone and $91 billion globally, according to the company’s press release.

It will also have significant value-add for and complement national initiatives such as the Saudi Kingdom 2030 vision, stimulating sustainable economic growth and adding to the global competitiveness of the Kingdom’s industrial base amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

 The guideline is expected to support customers – international and national energy players as well as industrial manufacturing companies to embark on the advanced manufacturing journey via a clear, streamlined step-by-step process focused on solving challenges in supply chain and inventory management making it more efficient and flexible.

On this occasion, Fahmi Al Shawwa, CEO of Immensa, said: “We are thrilled to set a new benchmark in the digital transformation of the industry alongside our world-class partners at DNV and today’s news is a game-changer for global supply chains and asset security. Energy companies in the Middle East demand the latest cutting-edge innovations to produce parts locally, and national industrial strategies are focused on the same goal for their wider manufacturing sectors. We are delighted to support the Middle East’s rapid growth, and to be a pivotal player in the $91 billion global energy spare parts market”.

This world-first guideline is a milestone in the digitization of industrial spare parts. The disruptive qualities of a Digital Inventory bring established guidelines on data capture of spare parts, a defined digital asset concept, and a standardized approach for creating digital assets.

A dedicated team of 10 experts, from Immensa and DNV, spent five months working to establish the guideline - pooling their knowledge of additive manufacturing, digital warehousing, and quality assurance. The guideline also reflects customer insight to ensure rigorous technical depth – but effective and accessible criteria for purchasers and manufacturers to consult. 

Sastry Kandukuri, Global AM Practice Lead & Technical Authority for AM Certification at DNV Energy Systems, further commented: “We, at the DNV AM team, are delighted to reflect on our successful collaboration with Immensa on this groundbreaking project. The unveiling of the industry’s first-ever guideline on Digital Inventory Readiness Levels marks a significant milestone in additive manufacturing, setting a new benchmark and paving the way for future innovations and collaborations.”

The guideline’s framework includes: (i) assessing physical parts for digitizing potential; (ii) converting selected physical parts into digital twins, and inclusion in a Digital Inventory system; and (iii) On-demand Manufacturing - recommendations for its use as a viable spare parts strategy, for timely delivery and high-quality standards.

It follows recent strategic partnerships expanding Immensa’s global footprint, including Pelagus 3D - to capture a new US$2 billion market opportunity in the maritime vertical. In December 2023, Immensa received its milestone DNV Certification, the global gold standard - the first company in MENA to have achieved it.