Arkema, a French chemical and materials company, is expected to open a 3D Printing Center of Excellence within its facility in Exton, Pennsylvania next week.
This new R&D lab will focus on developing innovative 3D printing resins through its partner Sartomer, a global supplier of advanced additive manufacturing materials.
“We’re launching the 3D Printing Center of Excellence to deepen our support of the visionaries working to develop innovative 3D printed materials,” said Sumeet Jain, Global Director of 3D Printing at Sartomer.
A space for collaborative chemists
Officially launched in 2004 and now operating in approximately 50 countries, Arkema has developed materials, including specialty polyamides resins, for high-performance end-use applications.
According to Jain, with Arkema Group’s commitment “to enable 3D Printing to mass manufacturing through innovative material technologies” this new center will include state of the art wet chemistry labs, a formulation development and testing facility with a wide range of analytical equipment, and an application center housing multiple 3D Printers.
The 3D printers will also cover a range of photo-curable based technologies such as stereolithography(SLA), Digital Light Processing (DLP), and MultiJet Printing (MJP). The center will additionally provide a collaborative space for chemists and engineers to develop custom resins for specific customer needs.
A new range of resins
Sartomer, founded in 1956, will further develop its N3xtDimension brand of engineered resins for UV-curable additive manufacturing within the Center of Excellence.
These photo-cure 3D printing materials create products with advanced thermoplastic properties, such as high impact resistance and flexibility, for applications within dentistry, sports, and electronics.
“3D printing will further expand in to mass manufacturing through innovative advanced material technologies and partnerships with market leaders,” said Guillaume de Crevoisier, Global Business Director coordinating the 3D Printing activities for Arkema.
Investing in additive manufacturing materials
Earlier this month, Arkema announced plans to expand its global specialty polyamides powder production capacities at its French Pyrenees facilities by 50% through an investment of €20 million. This expansion followed the growing international demand for high-performing powders for industrial applications – including coatings, composites and the 3D printing market.
Prior to this, Arkema expanded its production of 3D printable resins at its subsidiary Sartomer’s Nansha facility in China.
“3D printing will further expand in to mass manufacturing through innovative advanced material technologies and partnerships with market leaders,” said Guillaume de Crevoisier Global Business Director coordinating the 3D Printing activities for Arkema.
The 3D Printing Center of Excellence, scheduled to open on July 30th, will complete the Arkema’s worldwide R&D network, which focuses on the development of advanced material for additive manufacturing.
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Featured image shows scientist at the Arkema facility in Pennsylvania. Photo via Arkema Group.
