News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
Saudi Aramco acquires SABIC, as the Saudi OEC company confirmed the signing of a share purchase agreement to acquire a 70% majority stake in SABIC from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. SABIC, a large petrochemical company, is known in the 3D printing industry as the provider of ULTEM and other thermoplastic filament materials as well as a wide range of composite pellets.
Carpenter Technology, a leader in high-performance specialty alloys, today announced the launch of its new Carpenter Additive business unit. The new division will reinforce and build upon Carpenter’s existing position as a powder metals supplier to the additive manufacturing industry.
Last week, HP Inc. took a significant step (if not a few!) towards industrializing its Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) 3D printing technology with the release of its new Jet Fusion 5200 Series, a new TPU material and its Digital Manufacturing Network. The new 3D printing solution is targeted at volume production and enables manufacturers to utilize MJF in their digital factories.
German chemical company Evonik is reorganizing its polyamide business with a focus on the 3D printing, automotive, oil and gas and optics industries. As part of the restructuring, the company will be ceasing its polyphthalamide (PPA) business at its Witten site and will be launching a new facility complex for polyamide 12 (PA 12) as well as expanding its production of transparent polyamides at the Marl Chemical Park. Going forward, Evonik says it will focus its business on high-performance materials for high-growth markets.
Germany-based material giant Henkel has acquired Molecule Corp., a privately owned, technology-driven enterprise focused on product innovation in additive manufacturing. The specific terms of the acquisition agreement have not been disclosed.
3D printer manufacturer Markforged, a specialist in metal and carbon fiber AM, has announced a partnership with Carahsoft Technology Corp., the U.S. government’s IT solutions provider, which will facilitate and accelerate the availability of industrial AM systems to branches of the federal government. The collaboration signals the U.S. government’s advancing interest and commitment to using additive manufacturing technologies for replacement parts.
As if a new 3D printing system and material weren’t enough, HP Inc. has rounded off its series of announcements this morning with the news that it is deepening its additive manufacturing alliance with Siemens and other partners with the aim of advancing digital manufacturing. HP has recognized that strong partnerships within the AM industry will be an essential part of transitioning industries into digital manufacturing.
Aleph Objects, Inc., manufacturer of LulzBot desktop 3D printers, announced its expansion into the European market this week with the opening of its European headquarters in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The expansion will enable the company to address the specific needs of European customers and resellers. The company has also established a new holding company for its European operations, Aleph Objects Europe Holding B.V.
3D printing company ExOne is once again teaming up with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the biggest U.S. Department of Energy open science laboratory, to advance the process of 3D binder jetting AM. Together, the partners will work to develop new binder systems for ExOne’s sand and metal 3D printers.
The FIT Additive Manufacturing Group is preparing to install a state-of-the-art hot isostatic press (HIP) with Uniform Rapid Quenching (URQ) from Swedish leader in high pressure technology Quintus Technologies. The press will allow the AM company to enhance its productivity and address the stringent requirements for industry-grade 3D printed metal series parts.