Clariant has deemed its 3D printing materials division to no longer be in line with its strategic vision, and agreed to cede control over a selection of its filament and pellet materials, and part of its 3D printing team. Clariant’s agreement with DSM represents a change of direction for the company, which had been expanding its 3D printing materials business since 2017. At its Guangzhou base in China, with the specific role of “Creating and optimizing an innovative range of 3D printing materials.” Clariant went on to display a new range of industrial 3D printing materials. DSM in turn, will inherit Clariant’s customer relations and 3D printing teams, whose knowledge of powder development, will help customers to develop materials that match their existing product portfolio and production processes. “After thorough strategic review, Clariant concluded that its 3D printing materials business was no longer aligned with its strategic focus,” said Richard Haldimann, Head of Sustainability Transformation at Clariant. “While we will continue to serve the 3D printing market with our high quality additives and flame retardants, we are confident that DSM is the ideal new home for parts of Clariant’s tailored 3D printing materials business to continue its successful development. I look forward to seeing them thrive.” The first material to be developed under the partnership was the Somos® PerFORM HW, a composite with a tensile strength of 80 MPa and resistance to high temperatures of up to 260°C. A collaboration with large-scale 3D printer supplier CEAD in May 2019, saw DSM develop new feedstock, tooling and end-use applications for FGF 3D printing.

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