SINTX Technologies signs with Evonik to produce SiN/PEEK compound for 3D printed implants

SINTX Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SINT) closed a deal with Evonik Corporation, a company that makes high-performance polymers, to have Evonik produce SINTX’s special silicon nitride–PEEK (SiN/PEEK) material on a large scale for use in AI-assisted, additively manufactured patient-specific implants. The agreement enables SINTX to begin production immediately using equipment already installed at its U.S.-based facility.

SINTX had already received physician requests for humanitarian-use vertebral body replacement (VBR) implants for orthopedic and neurosurgical oncology patients following spinal tumor resections before the agreement was finalized. The company also intends to use the SiN/PEEK compound to support regulatory clearance of both patient-matched and traditionally manufactured implantable devices.

“This agreement with Evonik is another pivotal moment for SINTX and for the field of patient-specific implants,” said Eric K. Olson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of SINTX Technologies. “By combining Evonik’s industrial-scale PEEK polymer manufacturing expertise with SINTX’s silicon nitride biomaterial manufacturing capabilities, we can deliver next-generation implants that address critical needs in trauma, spine, oncology, and beyond.”

Material properties and clinical rationale

The SiN/PEEK compound combines silicon nitride’s studied antipathogenic and osteogenic properties with PEEK’s established radiolucency and mechanical tunability. SINTX positioned the material as offering advantages over standard PEEK in high-risk procedures, including reduced microbial adherence to implant surfaces, support for bone growth and integration, and improved visibility in intraoperative and postoperative imaging. The additive manufacturing workflow enables patient-specific geometries through AI-assisted design, supporting the high-mix, low-volume production typical of custom implant programs.

Evonik’s Head of Medical Devices and Systems, Marc Knebel, stated that the structure of the collaboration ensures consistent quality and supply reliability. “This is another example of enabling innovation that Evonik has delivered to improve medical outcomes. Our collaboration is designed to provide consistent quality, supply reliability, and scalability—foundational elements for our continued broader collaboration and data generation to support future medical device market work.”

The two companies also indicated plans to make the SiN/PEEK compound available to other qualified manufacturers for complex implant indications where silicon nitride’s attributes may add clinical or economic value.

Near-term focus on oncology and trauma

SINTX is concentrating its immediate commercial efforts on trauma and oncology cases, especially post-tumor resection procedures that present surgeons with challenging anatomy and elevated infection risk. “We’re responding to real-world surgeon requests in oncology-related care,” said Dr. Ryan Bock, Chief Technology Officer of SINTX Technologies. “Our immediate focus is on humanitarian-use cases while we build the quality systems, regulatory files, and production capacity to expand into additional indications through appropriate FDA pathways.”