3D printing is particularly beneficial in the medical field to produce devices such as orthotics, prosthetics, and implants to match the individual measurements of patients. Arkema is a key partner in this growth sector (20% per year) to which it supplies its medical-grade specialty materials. For example, the XFeet additive manufacturing platform produces orthopedic soles in Pebax® RNew and new orthotic products in Rilsan® polyamide 11. In dental prosthetics, the specialist Dentca obtained authorization from the FDA in 2020 to produce custom parts in N3xtDimension® UV resins. Another medical application is in mass production: also in 2020, the HP group produced swabs made from Rilsan® polyamide 11 using 3D printing technology for Covid-19 testing.
Kepstan® PEKK, an exceptionally high-performing polymer, is mainly used in aeronautics for the most demanding applications. It combines rare mechanical, thermal and chemical resistance with ease of use, making it perfectly suited to 3D printing, unlike its competitor, PAEK. In this specific segment, additive manufacturing is valuable in small production runs of parts with complex shapes (air distributors, bearing cages) for its ability to optimize the quantity of raw material used.
In 2020, Sartomer acquired Colorado Photopolymer Solutions, which has contributed to its technical expertise in the development of specialty formulations for 3D printing in mass production. The company has also formed development partnerships and investment with Continuous Composites and Adaptive3D, two breakthrough start-ups bringing disruptive technologies to 3D printing.
