BASF Expands 3D Printing Materials Portfolio with Acquisitions of Advanc3D and Setup Solutions

A year ago, global chemical giant BASF announced that it was increasing its focus on 3D printing with the establishment of a new division called BASF 3D Printing Solutions. In the months since the new company officially launched, it has been growing fast, acquiring other companies and broadening its levels of expertise about 3D printing technology. Now BASF New Business GmbH has acquired two more companies that will be integrated into BASF 3D Printing Solutions, further expanding its 3D printing empire.

Advanc3D Materials, located in Hamburg, manufactures 3D printing materials, including both FDM/FFF filaments and SLS powders, as well as offering expertise and advice on the additive manufacturing process. Setup Performance SAS operates out of Lyon and is Advanc3D Materials’ partner in the development and manufacture of SLS materials. The acquisition of the two companies highlights BASF’s growing commitment to the development of 3D printing materials, and a focus on SLS in addition to FDM.

“Following our acquisition of Innofil3D last year and the consequent strengthening of our market presence in plastic filaments for layer extrusion we are now in similar fashion expanding our market access in the area of powder bed fusion,” said Dr. Dietmar Bender, Vice President Manufacturing and Technology at BASF New Business. “The portfolio complements our existing range, being perfectly suited to products such as polyamide 11, polyamide 12 and polypropylene.”

Advanc3D Materials offers a wide range of materials, particularly for SLS 3D printing, that boast characteristics such as consistent, finely ground powder, UV stabilizations and good free flow. Its specialized powders include those with high temperature resistance, flame retardancy, conductivity, elongation properties and more. Setup Performance is an important partner to Advanc3D Materials, working with the company as both a development partner and contract manufacturer.

“We are looking forward to being part of BASF,” said François Minec, Managing Director of Advanc3D. “This will enable us to expand and further develop new formulations for the industrial additive manufacturing activities of our customers all over the world.”

BASF 3D Printing Solutions’ rapidly expanding portfolio of materials will greatly benefit its existing customers and help it to obtain new ones, particularly in the automotive and consumer goods industries.

“This know-how, the infrastructure and the advanced materials are a perfect complement for us,” said Dr. Bender. “This acquisition is a further step toward our objective to become a leading supplier of powder-based materials and formulations for industrial 3D printing.”

BASF’s tagline is “We create chemistry for a sustainable future,” and that philosophy extends to each of its multiple business units, including BASF 3D Printing Solutions. As the company continues to build its 3D printing materials portfolio, in both filaments and powders, it will better be able to meet its goals of providing efficient, quality sustainable materials to a wide variety of industries.

Discuss this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts in the Facebook comments below.