Japan’s Sinto Group acquires majority stake in ceramics AM pioneer 3DCeram

3DCeram, a French company specializing in a range of ceramic 3D object printing processes and materials, has signed an agreement to take on board the Sinto Group, a heavyweight and world-renowned Japanese industrial partner. The aim of this is to turbocharge the growth of the pioneering French company, the world leader in 3D ceramic printing. With Sinto taking a majority share in 3DCeram, the French company will benefit from a strong industrial partner who will increase its 3D printer production capacity.

This latest development in industrial adoption – which was accurately forecast in the “probable scenario” outlined in our latest report on Ceramics AM – will accelerate export development, particularly in Asia and the United States, where the Japanese group is already highly active. With a turnover of approximately €2M in 2016 and a workforce of 20 professionals in France, 3DCeram is one of the most dynamic and innovative companies in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. They are gaining industry recognition throughout Europe and around the world, thanks to their exceptional 3D printing technological expertise. Thanks to their unique skills and their capacity to provide customized support and “turnkey” solutions, they have opened up a whole host of new applications for 3D ceramics in three major sectors:

• Industry (Aerospace, Defence, Aeronautics, Electronics, Automobile)
• Biomedical (ocular implants, cranial implants…)
• Luxury goods (jewelry, clocks and watches)

Boosted by their excellent results and unique skills in the 3D printing market, 3DCeram has decided to sign an agreement to join forces with the Japanese Sinto Group, a global player whose overarching goal is to “bring new life and shapes to materials and processes”. By investing in a majority share in the company, the Japanese group is continuing with its expansion strategy. They wish to accelerate their international growth and become one of the world leaders in “additive manufacturing”.“This share agreement is a crowning achievement, following our efforts to build an effective business and cement our role as responsible company directors. 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° optimized solutions”, built on long-lasting partnerships,” stated Richard Gaignon and Christophe Chaput, co-directors of 3DCeram.
Founded in 2001, 3DCeram has been directed by Christophe Chaput and Richard Gaignon since 2009. This new partnership will allow 3DCeram to hire talented new staff, in particular in their sales and R&D departments. The Sinto Group was founded in 1934 and is the world’s leading company in foundry equipment, offering sophisticated technology which improves quality, productivity and environmental protection.

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. 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 taking a new step forward to ensure 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”, explained Richard Gaignon and Christophe Chaput.

They have since applied their skill and experience to other, related fields, providing clients and industries with the solutions they need for surface treatment, environmental protection, handling, mechatronics, materials, processes and more. This investment is a logical step forward for 3DCeram, which is keen to capitalize on its unique technological expertise in 3D ceramic printing.

The arrival of this new shareholder will boost 3DCeram’s production capacity, enabling it to blossom into a global group with a firm foothold in highly technical markets with significant growth potential.

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