Carbon and Arkema partner to drive adoption of Digital Light Synthesis
After investing $20 million, Arkema has become a strategic partner of Carbon
In the wake of announcing a whopping $260 million investment, 3D printing company Carbon has revealed a partnership with chemicals company Arkema and its Sartomer business line specializing in advanced liquid resins. Arkema was a key investor in Carbon’s latest funding round, contributing $20 million.
The investment in Carbon’s capital by Arkema has ignited a strategic partnership between the two companies through which they will deliver a “new era of materials performance and supply chain model” for Carbon’s manufacturing partners.
France-based Arkema has been deepening its interest in the additive manufacturing industry recently, not only through its investment in Carbon but also with the launch of a commercial 3D printing platform. The platform, announced in October 2018, is aimed at accelerating the development of innovative materials for various 3D printing technologies. With Carbon, Arkema plans to bring to market 3D printing materials through its Sartomer business line that will disrupt the supply chain model and bring digital manufacturing more into the mainstream.
Thierry Le Hénaff, Chairman and CEO of Arkema, commented on the strategic alliance, saying: “We are eager to continue and strengthen our joint efforts in delivering Carbon next generation products and full solutions to our partners & customers, disrupting the way parts are mass manufactured and accelerating new market opportunities.”
Notably, Carbon and Sartomer have collaborated in the past, striving to scale process technology and resin manufacturing for Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis process. The collaboration has resulted in viable solutions for a number of industries, including sports, dental and consumer goods.
“Since Carbon’s early days, Arkema has been an important partner to us,” added Carbon CEO and Co-Founder, Dr. Joseph DeSimone. “It’s rewarding to see all the amazing outcomes of our work together over the years bringing new, innovative materials to market.”
The $260 million raised by Carbon in its recent growth funding round will enable the company to move forward on a number of things, including expanding R&D efforts, establishing its first Advanced Development Facility (ADF) and growing its European and Asian presence.
