Stratasys acquires all Forward AM assets

Stratasys, a global leader in additive manufacturing, has acquired the key assets and operations of Forward AM Technologies GmbH, formerly a prominent additive manufacturing materials brand. This acquisition marks the end of a complex transition for the brand, following Forward AM’s recent financial challenges.

Formerly known as BASF 3D Printing Solutions, Forward AM had established itself as a leading provider of 3D printing materials, including filaments, powders, and photopolymers. However, in November 2024, the company filed for insolvency proceedings in Heidelberg, Germany, citing financial difficulties. Subsequently, Forward AM closed its U.S. operations and began serving American customers from its German headquarters.

Under Stratasys’ new ownership, Forward AM will continue to operate as an independent materials brand, maintaining its commitment to providing high-quality materials and technical support to partners across various platforms. The company will function as a standalone entity within Stratasys and has been renamed Mass Additive Manufacturing GmbH. In its previous life as Forward AM, the company had already developed several materials for Stratasys and for many of Stratasys’ competitors. In 2023, Stratasys also acquired Covestro’s AM materials business assets.

This strategic move allows Forward AM to leverage Stratasys’s extensive resources and global reach, enabling the company to drive innovation and expand its offerings in the additive manufacturing space. Despite the change in ownership, Forward AM assures its partners and customers that it will uphold strict confidentiality protocols to protect project information, ensuring that data remains secure within the team.

The acquisition demonstrates the strategic importance of materials, especially when the growth of the hardware installed base is stabilizing and machines are used more efficiently to produce more parts. In addition, as many large groups such as BASF, Covestro, Braskem, Jabil and Dow have partly or entirely divested, more opportunities will emerge for specialized operators.