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Product • Technology • Strategy

Thiago
Medeiros
Araujo

PhD materials engineer and executive product & technology leader specialising in advanced polymers, additive manufacturing, and technology commercialisation — with a track record of turning deep technical expertise into measurable business growth across Europe, the UK, and Brazil.
I build and scale product lines at the intersection of materials science and market strategy. My background spans from hands-on research — additive manufacturing, composites, polymer processing — to P&L ownership, OEM partnerships, and go-to-market execution. At LEHVOSS Group I grew LUVOCOM 3F from a concept into a EUR 5M+ global business and now lead a structural materials portfolio above EUR 20M. At Airbus, I delivered EUR 2M in documented cost savings by rethinking a production process — not by adding complexity, but by removing it. I apply the same logic everywhere: understand the system, find the leverage point, move.
Science that moves markets.
Expertise
Advanced MaterialsAdditive ManufacturingP&L LeadershipAI & Process OptimisationTechnology Commercialisation
Languages
Portuguese — NativeEnglish — FluentItalian — FluentGerman — Conversational
✉ Email 👥 LinkedIn 📄 CV
Thiago Medeiros Araujo
Advanced materials • Product strategy • Global execution

Key Facts

15+
Years of experience
€20M+
Portfolio managed
€5M+
Revenue scaled
2
Patents
13
Publications
LUVOCOM 3F
Built from concept to a EUR 5M+ global product line in five years.
Structural Materials
P&L above EUR 20M across Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Airbus
EUR 2M in documented cost savings — two patented process innovations.

Professional Timeline

Select any role to read more.

Mercosul Expansion & AI Strategy LeadIndustry

2024 – Present
LEHVOSS Group
Two parallel mandates, both rooted in the operational work of the structural materials phase. Internally: appointed as the company’s cross-functional reference for AI and process automation. First deployments delivered a 30% workload reduction for a six-person department — returning capacity for higher-value work. ~30 further projects scoped, documented and in implementation queue. Externally: building LEHVOSS’s commercial presence in Latin America from the ground up. Entry via advanced polymer materials for additive manufacturing, expanding into structural materials. Brazil active and growing; Mexico market entry in development.
AI & AutomationMarket Development

Global Product Manager — Structural MaterialsIndustry

2024 – Present
LEHVOSS Group
Promoted to lead the broader structural materials portfolio while continuing to oversee the LUVOCOM 3F line through its consolidation phase. Responsible for market expansion, the innovation pipeline, and P&L above EUR 20M across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
StrategyPortfolioP&L ~€20M

Global Product Manager — LUVOCOM 3FIndustry

2020 – 2025
LEHVOSS Group
Built the LUVOCOM 3F additive manufacturing product line from the ground up — from market positioning and technology scouting to OEM partnerships and commercial launch. This role was the direct continuation of founding Freeform Printing, which was acquired by LEHVOSS to seed this product line. Grew revenue from zero to EUR 5M+ and established LEHVOSS as a recognised supplier in the global AM materials market. Designed the industrial qualification framework for AM parts adopted by TÜV SÜD — addressing the confidence gap limiting industrial adoption. World’s first certified FFF build process.
Additive ManufacturingScale-upEUR 5M+

Technical Sales ManagerIndustry

2017 – 2020
LEHVOSS Group
Developed key accounts and technical partnerships across Europe in high-performance polymers and early additive manufacturing applications. Bridged the gap between customer engineering requirements and product capabilities, accelerating design-in cycles and driving consistent revenue growth.
SalesPolymersB2B Europe

Founder & DirectorIndustry

2015 – 2018
Freeform Printing
Founded and directed Freeform Printing, a Bristol-based additive manufacturing consultancy and print bureau. Built the company around a core consulting offering for industrial and aerospace clients, with Airbus as the primary client. Operated a farm of 9 FDM printers serving UK-based customers with on-demand AM production. The company was subsequently acquired by LEHVOSS Group, leading directly to the creation of the LUVOCOM 3F product line.
FounderAM ConsultancyBristol UK

Consultant Research EngineerIndustry

2014 – 2017
Airbus Group Innovations
Engaged as an external consultant to Airbus Group Innovations, delivering applied research and technology development within EU-funded programmes. Key outcomes: ThermoMELT® AM process (patented by Airbus), bioprocess surface treatment for SLS PA12 parts (patented), and EUR 2M in documented cost savings on the A400M wing assembly line through 3D-printed tooling. This consulting relationship was the foundation on which Freeform Printing was built.
External ConsultantAerospaceEU-funded R&D

Engineering SupervisorIndustry

2008 – 2009
Vedamotors
Restructured elastomer production operations, improving process efficiency and reducing material costs. Developed new supplier relationships and introduced improved manufacturing equipment.
ElastomersOperations

Executive MBAEducation

2021 – 2023
Kellogg-WHU • Northwestern University
Executive MBA programme at one of the world’s top business schools, with focus on global strategy, organisational leadership, and innovation management. Built a strong international peer network across industries.
MBAStrategyLeadership

Postdoctoral Research FellowAcademia

2013 – 2014
University of Trento
Conducted post-doctoral research on functional micro- and nano-composite systems, developing advanced reinforcement strategies for high-performance polymer applications.
NanocompositesPolymersPost-doc

Research ScholarAcademia

2011 – 2012
University of Illinois at Chicago
Visiting researcher at UIC focused on liquid-crystalline polymer nanofibre production via electrospinning. Produced the first known Vectran® nanofibers, later published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry C.
LCPNanofibersUIC

PhD — Materials Science & EngineeringEducation

2009 – 2013
University of Trento
Doctoral research on single-polymer micro- and nano-composites, electrospinning of functional polymer systems, and high-performance reinforcement architectures. Dissertation: “Single Polymer micro and nano composites”. Resulted in 8 peer-reviewed publications and 2 conference presentations.
PhDSingle-polymer compositesElectrospinning

BSc Materials EngineeringEducation

2003 – 2008
UFSC – Federal University of Santa Catarina
Foundation degree in materials science and engineering with a strong focus on polymer systems. Final thesis on natural fibre-reinforced polypropylene composites using sugarcane bagasse.
BScBrazilPolymers

Publications, Patents & Certifications

Overprinting high temperature PA on CF/PA6 composites: A microscopic examination of the interfacePublication

Composites Communications • Feb 2025
▼

Material extrusion (MEX) printed onto thin CF/PA6 composite sheets using PAHT® filament. Study of the overprinting interface via rib-on-plate tension tests and microscopic analyses.↗ View

Electrospinning of doped and undoped polyaniline/poly(vinylidene fluoride) blendsPublication

Synthetic Metals • Mar 2016
▼

Electrospun mats of EB or DBSA-doped PANI blended with PVDF. Investigated electrical conductivity, doping degree and morphology. PVDF/EB showed core-sheath structure.↗ View

Mechanical and thermal properties of poly(butylene succinate)/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) biodegradable blendsPublication

Journal of Applied Polymer Science • Aug 2015
▼

PBS/PHBV biodegradable blends. Mechanical properties studied via tensile testing and DMTA. DSC and TGA showed complete immiscibility and moderate adhesion.↗ View

The effect of compressive stress on the electrically resistivity of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/polypyrrole blendsPublication

Synthetic Metals • Oct 2014
▼

PVDF/PPy blends by solution-casting. Percolation threshold below 4 wt%. Resistivity drops two orders of magnitude at 9 wt% PPy. Reversible electromechanical response for pressure sensors.↗ View

Polyaniline-coated coconut fibers: Structure, properties and their use as conductive additives in matrix of polyurethane derived from castor oilPublication

Polymer Testing • Sep 2014
▼

PANI-coated coconut fibers by in situ oxidative polymerization. Conductivity ~1.5x10-1 S/cm (FeCl3). PU/CF-PANI composites showed pressure-sensitive electrical resistivity.↗ View

Electrically pressure sensitive poly(vinylidene fluoride)/polypyrrole electrospun matsPublication

RSC Advances • Mar 2014
▼

Non-woven PVDF/PPy electrospun mats. Maximum sensitivity at 13 wt% PPy: resistivity drop of 10 orders of magnitude under 5 MPa compressive stress.↗ View

Liquid crystalline single-polymer short-fibers compositesPublication

Composite Interfaces, Taylor & Francis • May 2013
▼

SPSFCs using Vectran® fibers in a Vectran® matrix. Plasma treatment increased tensile modulus up to 180% vs unfilled matrix.↗ View

Electrospinning of a Blend of a Liquid Crystalline Polymer with Poly(ethylene Oxide): Vectran Nanofiber Mats and Their Mechanical PropertiesPublication

Journal of Materials Chemistry C • Oct 2012
▼

First report of Vectran nanofiber production using host-guest method with PEO. Characterized by SEM, DSC, TGA, SAED and mechanical testing.↗ View

Liquid Crystalline Single-Polymer Short-Fibres CompositesConference

ECCM15 • Venice, Italy • Jun 2012
▼

15th European Conference on Composite Materials. SPSFCs with Vectran NT fibers: tensile modulus improvement up to 178% after plasma surface treatment.

Electrospinning of a blend of a liquid crystalline polymer with Poly(ethylene Oxide): Vectran nanofiber matsConference

European Polymer Federation • Jun 2013
▼

Vectran® LCP nanofiber production via host-guest electrospinning with PEO. First known report of Vectran nanofiber production.

Fabrication of conducting nanocomposites of PVDF with polypyrrole nanoparticles by electrospinningConference

European Polymer Federation • Jun 2013
▼

Electrospun nanofibers of intrinsically conducting polymer systems for chemical sensors and flexible pressure devices.

Study of fibers production from melt spinning of Gaialene resinsConference

Biopolpack, 3rd Congress on Biodegradable Polymer Packaging • May 2014
▼

Melt-spun fiber production from Gaialene biopolymer resins for biodegradable packaging applications.

Preparation and characterization of liquid crystalline single-polymer short-fibres compositesConference

AIM • Sep 2011
▼

Early work on single-polymer composites using Vectran® NT fibres. Thermal treatment optimized to increase melting temperature.

Airbus Innovation Patent — ThermoMELT® AM ProcessPatent

Airbus Group Innovations • 2014–2017
▼

Additive manufacturing process for high-temperature polymers allowing infinite reuse of sintered material. Patented as an Airbus innovation.

Airbus Innovation Patent — Bioprocess Surface Treatment (PA12 / SLS)Patent

Airbus Group Innovations • 2014–2017
▼

Surface treatment with microorganisms for Polyamide 12 (SLS) parts, eliminating chemical solvents and reducing environmental impact. Patented by Airbus.

Six Sigma Green BeltCertification

ASQ Certification • Jun 2016
▼

American Society for Quality certified Six Sigma Green Belt. Credential ID: 15909.

Industry Recognition

3DPI Awards 2026 — Jury Member

2026
3D Printing Industry

Invited to serve on the jury of the 3DPI Awards, the leading annual recognition programme in the additive manufacturing industry.↗ 3D Printing Industry

World’s First TÜV SÜD‑Certified AM Build Process

2020
TÜV SÜD · LEHVOSS Group · UltiMaker

Designed the qualification framework behind the first reproducible additive manufacturing build process ever certified by TÜV SÜD. LEHVOSS and UltiMaker served as the pilot case for an entirely new industrial certification category in FFF.↗ 3D Adept Media

UltiMaker Global Innovators List

2020
UltiMaker

Named to UltiMaker’s inaugural global Innovators List for work on certified additive manufacturing materials.↗ UltiMaker

Talks, Interviews & Industry Panels

2020 – 2025
UltiMaker · 3D Adept Media · 3D Printing Industry · TalkPlast

Let’s connect

I work on a small number of things at a time. If what you’re working on sounds like a match, reach out directly. A good conversation costs nothing and often leads somewhere worth going.

Thiago Medeiros Araujo · Advanced materials & product strategy 📍 Hamburg, Germany © 2026 Thiago Medeiros Araujo  ·  medeiros.uk Privacy  ·  Cookies