Bangalore International Airport secures new business for airport city

Credit: Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL)

Peekay Group has signed an agreement with Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL) to develop a 3D Printing technology facility at the airport, that is currently being developed in the Bangalore International Airport (IATA: BLR) premises. BACL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL).

This facility will house a production centre, as well as an experience zone to learn 3D printing and ideate for innovative solutions. In addition, the facility will be used to train technology experts, up-grade skills, and increase awareness of various 3D printing applications. Furthermore, in comparison to traditional manufacturing, 3D printing has been able to significantly reduce the carbon footprint.

“We are delighted to partner with the Peekay Group to develop a state-of-the-art 3D Printing technology facility as part of our Airport City,” said Rao Munukutla, CEO of BACL. “Bengaluru is emerging as one of the world’s leading technology innovation hubs and at BACL our focus will be to continue partnering with companies in the fields of advanced electronics manufacturing, robotics and artificial intelligence, space technology, 3D printing, quantum computing, chip design, digital content, online gaming and education, fintech, agricultural technology and healthcare technology. We are confident that these initiatives will continue to further add impetus in making Bengaluru a knowledge-based economy.”

BACL has been founded to develop the airport city at BLR Airport, consisting of business parks, a health district, retail, dining and entertainment village, a concert arena, a convention and exhibition centre, a knowledge park, and a hospitality and central park.  The airport city is developed as an international gateway to a sustainable, smart, vibrant city celebrating a culture of innovation.

K.E. Shanavaz, Joint Managing Director at PeeKay Steel Castings (P) Limited, commented: “Peekay is driven by a purpose to create value for all its stakeholders including customers, suppliers, employees, and society at large. We are pleased to state that Peekay is moving ahead with its purpose and vision with its current investment with Bengaluru Airport City Limited. The company’s strategy has continually been enhancing productivity and aligning with external factors such as the environment, climate change, and renewable energy. Peekay is investing in a standalone technology centre at airport city to diversify its business into new areas like aerospace, healthcare, renewable energy and transforming itself as a tech-driven manufacturing company globally. We would be incorporating metal printing in addition to sand and ceramic in future expansion.”

The giant 3D sand printing machine, VX-4000 from Voxeljet, that will be installed at Airport City, would be the first-of-its-kind globally. This will be most efficient and environmentally friendly with no carbon emission, which is in line with Bangalore International Airport Limited’s sustainability framework.