Evonik is further expanding its additive manufacturing business and has opened a new 3D printing technology center in Austin, Texas, USA. The technology center will play a key role in Evonik’s global innovation network for the development of new ready-to-use materials for powder bed fusion based on structured polymer technology.
Powdering powder materials for powder bed fusion
New technology center for Evonik’s “structured polymers” Related technologies, including application technology laboratories equipped with 3D printers and processing areas, research and development laboratories, production rooms and related office areas and conference rooms. The entire technical center is equipped with a modern air extraction system and complies with the highest standards of safety and ergonomics in the workplace.
Evonik’s new 3D printing technology center in the United States
Thomas Große-Puppendahl, Head of Innovation Growth Area Additive Manufacturing at Evonik, said: “The New Technology Center will continue the success story of Evonik’s ‘structured polymers’. We have now created the necessary technological framework to realize This advanced technology is used in the production of 3D printing polymer powders on the market.”
Vikram Devarajan, General Manager of Evonik’s 3D Printing Technology Center in Austin, Texas, added: “By improving the area We will further support our local partners with new technologies in material development.”
A Proud History of “Structured Polymers”
In January 2019, Evonik acquired Structured Polymers Inc., a US-based 3D printing materials startup. Evonik Venture Capital invested in the company two years ago.
Evonik opens a new technology center for “structured polymer” technology to support the development of new ready-to-use materials for powder bed fusion.
The acquisition enables Evonik to acquire a new patented technology and achieve its goal of expanding its existing portfolio of specialty polymer powders for additive manufacturing. “Structured polymer” technology is based on polymer particles, which can be processed into fine powder materials through various process steps, which facilitates production and controls the particle size of polymer powders (0.1 – 400 microns in diameter) while ensuring good material properties .
Following the acquisition of the company, Evonik launched its first ready-to-use powder materials at the end of 2019: two thermoplastic elastomers based on innovative copolyesters. These two materials can be used in powder 3D printing technology, with high elasticity, high flexibility and good resilience. Even after printing, it can still maintain toughness and flexibility without affecting the surface quality. There are two colors, white and black, for customers to choose according to the application scenario.
20+ Years of Materials Expertise
The 3D printing market is booming with double-digit growth rates. Evonik is the world’s leading producer of polyamide 12 (PA 12) powders, which have been used in additive manufacturing for more than 20 years. In addition to polyamide 12 or polyamide 613, Evonik’s product portfolio also includes flexible PEBA powders, GMP-grade biomaterials for medical technology, as well as various additives and components such as dispersants, flow promoters, reaction modifiers and nano composite material.