3DCeram Expands Ceramic 3D Printing Business with Investment from Sinto Group

Ceramics are a relatively new material in 3D printing, at least on a large scale. One company has been working with the material in 3D printing for over a decade, however, long before most people knew of it as a material that could be 3D printed. 3DCeram has been 3D printing ceramic parts since 2005, inventing the Ceramaker printer for the purpose. The French company began marketing 3D printing lines based on the Ceramaker 3D printer and associated services in 2015, and since then it has seen a high level of growth and success.

To further accelerate that growth, 3DCeram has signed an agreement with Japanese company Sinto Group, a global industrial partner. Sinto Group has taken a majority share in 3DCeram and will help the company to increase its 3D printer production capacity and accelerate export development, particularly in Japan and the United States.

“This share agreement is a crowning achievement, following our efforts to build an effective business and cement our role as responsible company directors,” said 3DCeram Co-Directors Christophe Chaput and Richard Gaignon. “We are working hard to ensure that 3DCeram has a solid, productive future both in France and around the world, and we want to grow our teams. This will provide us with even more solid and reliable financing, allowing us to go forth, grow stronger and offer our clients truly global ‘360° optimised solutions’, built on long-lasting partnerships.”

Chaput and Gaignon have co-directed 3DCeram since 2009; the company was founded in 2001. It has opened up new applications for 3D printed ceramics in three major sectors:

• Industry: aerospace, defense, aeronautics, electronics, automotive
• Biomedical: ocular and cranial implants
• Luxury goods: jewelry, clocks, watches

3DCeram saw a turnover of about €2 million in 2016 and currently has about 20 workers in France. Through the new partnership, it will be able to hire new staff, especially in sales and R&D.

“We’re looking to take a new step forward. We’re aiming to both consolidate the value of 3DCeram’s dominant position in the 3D ceramic printing market and strengthen our position as an engineering company in ‘360° additive manufacturing’ on a global scale. Our objective is to make 3DCeram the world leader in its field,” said Chaput and Gaignon. “For the past 8 years, we’ve been building relationships of trust with our employees and partners. This is what has enabled us to meet our growth targets, and we’d like to thank them for their support. Today, we’re choosing to take a new step forward to ensure that we can continue to expand with the backing of the Sinto Group. We know that they share the same entrepreneurial spirit, and that they will help us find fresh success with our projects.”

The Sinto Group was founded in 1934 and is currently the global leader in foundry equipment. It also offers solutions for surface treatment, environmental protection, handling, mechatronics, materials, processes and more. Investing in 3DCeram is part of Sinto’s plan to expand further, boost international growth and become a leader in additive manufacturing.

“We are delighted to come on board and help 3DCeram grow,” said A. Nagai, President of the Sinto Group. “This French company is renowned for their technological excellence, and we want to help them take their place on the international stage. This is a long-term investment for us, and our aim is to ensure that 3D ceramic printing can grow to a much larger scale.”

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