Corporate Governance - Biography

Wilfried Vancraen served as one of our directors and as our Chief Executive Officer since founding Materialise in July 1990. On January 1, 2024, Mr. Vancraen became Chairman of the Board and was succeeded as CEO by Brigitte de Vet-Veithen. Previously, he worked as a research engineer and consultant at the Research Institute of the Belgian Metalworking Industry, where he was introduced to 3D Printing. Passionate about this new technology and firm in his belief that it could help create a better and healthier world, he founded Materialise in July 1990. Mr. Vancraen holds several patents related to the technical and medical applications of 3D Printing and remains committed to using the technology for positive changes in people’s lives. In recent years, Mr. Vancraen has been awarded the RTAM/SME Industry Achievement Award, the highest honor in the 3D printing industry, has been selected as the most influential person in additive manufacturing by industry professionals and TCT Magazine, and has been listed as one of the five leading players in his sector by the Financial Times. He is also the recipient of a 2013 Visionaries! award from the Museum of Art and Design in New York. Mr. Vancraen holds a Master of Science in Electro-Mechanical Engineering and a Master in Business Administration from KU Leuven. Wilfried Vancraen was included in the TCT Hall of Fame in 2017 for his contributions to the 3D printing industry.