French chemical and materials company Arkema announced plans to expand its global specialty polyamide powder production capacity through an investment of 20 million euros. Arkema will meet the growing international demand for high performance powders for industrial applications – including Coatings, composites and 3D printing markets.
'We continue to invest to support customer growth, especially in cutting-edge next-generation products,' said Erwoan Pezron, Global President, Arkema Technology Polymers.
Support industrial manufacturing
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printing technology that melts a continuous layer of powder material (including polymers, nylon or polystyrene) into solid objects. This process has been used by companies from leading industries such as automotive and aerospace. Cost-effective rapid prototyping and production.
For example, Energica, the Italian manufacturer of super sports electric motorcycles, uses SLS 3D printing.
Arkema's specialty polyamide powders are sold under the Orgasol brand and are produced by a unique patented polymerization process that produces a small and complex controlled particle size distribution. Due to its remarkable strength, viscosity, stability and contour resolution, Orgasol has been Used in a range of industrial applications.
Arkema invests in Asia
Last year, Arkema announced plans to expand its 3D printable resin production by 30% at its subsidiary, Sartomer's Nansha plant in China. This expansion also meets the growing customer demand in the electronics, 3D printing and inkjet printing markets. .
'We recently announced a significant investment in the Asian market in our Rilsan polyamide 11 (PA11) and Rilsamid polyamide 12 (PA12) product lines, and we are now turning to the Orgasol specialty powder portfolio. ' Pezron said.
In addition, earlier this year, Arkema announced a partnership with other high-performance materials company Hexcel to develop carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic tape for advanced aircraft. The expansion is fully implemented in the second half of 2019.