Europe Launches Initiative to Standardize Materials Terminology

Europe is addressing a significant challenge in digital manufacturing by launching a new initiative aimed at standardizing materials terminology across the industry. The inconsistency in how materials and processes are described has led to fragmented data that hampers the interoperability of software, artificial intelligence systems, and simulations. This lack of uniformity has become a major obstacle to scaling advanced digital technologies throughout European manufacturing.

To tackle this issue, the European Union-funded DiMAT project is collaborating with Germany’s national standards body, DIN, and Fraunhofer IWM, known for its expertise in materials data structures and ontology development. This effort is being executed through the newly established CEN Workshop titled “Terminology Definition for Domain Ontologies in Materials Science” (CEN/WS OntoWF). A draft agreement has been published and is now open for public comment, inviting input from various stakeholders.

Importance of Standardized Terminology

Modern digital manufacturing relies heavily on accurate, structured, and interoperable data. Technologies such as AI materials modeling, digital twins, and predictive maintenance depend on a shared understanding of materials science. The sector currently faces a “Tower of Babel” situation, where dissimilar terminology prevents seamless data exchange between companies, research facilities, and software providers.

A fundamental solution lies in creating materials ontologies—structured vocabularies that define essential concepts such as yield strength and thermal conductivity, explaining their relationships in a format that machines can understand. This will facilitate better communication between different software systems, allowing for more efficient data sharing and reuse.

Innovative Bottom-Up Approach

The CEN/WS OntoWF initiative distinguishes itself with a bottom-up approach. Rather than beginning with abstract theoretical models, the project focuses on real industrial use cases, developing the ontology based on actual manufacturing practices. This method promises a quicker and more practical pathway to standardization, while also addressing the historical lack of clear guidelines in the field.

The workshop aims to create a CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA) that provides a framework for how Europe can develop materials ontologies and standardize terminology across various sectors. This consistency is crucial for ensuring that terminology aligns with the needs of industry while remaining adaptable to evolving technologies.

Connecting Standards with Industry Needs

Recent global standards such as ISO/IEC 21838 offer high-level structures, while mid-level frameworks like EMMO and PMDco cover common scientific concepts. Yet, the industry still lacks detailed, domain-specific ontologies that capture the complexity of real materials processes. The DiMAT project seeks to bridge this gap by demonstrating an example-driven approach to ontology development, tailored to the workflows of actual manufacturers.

The CEN Workshop comprises 23 experts across Europe, organized into three groups focusing on terminology, review processes, and implementation. Fraunhofer IWM leads two of these groups, leveraging its experience with the DiMAT Cloud Materials Database (DiCMDB). The release of the draft CWA marks a pivotal moment in this initiative, with stakeholders encouraged to provide feedback through the CEN/CENELEC platform by the deadline of December 19, 2025.

By establishing a coherent framework for materials terminology, the DiMAT project and its partners aim to unlock the full potential of digital manufacturing in Europe. The hope is that improved data structures will not only support faster innovation but also lead to more reliable digital tools and a more competitive industrial landscape in the coming years.