Arkema strengthens strategic partnership with Continuous Composites investment

Arkema (Colombes, France) a company offering high-performance materials for composites and photocurable liquid resins for additive manufacturing reported on July 17 that it is strengthening its partnership with Continuous Composites (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, U.S.), manufacturer and creator of continuous fiber 3D printing technology (CF3D). Arkema says it has invested in the American start-up company in order to rapidly advance the development of 3D composite manufacturing for strong, lightweight structures.

Continuous Composites’ CF3D technology is said to be a complete solution including software, hardware, materials and motion platforms that drives a fundamental shift in composites design and manufacturing capabilities using high-performance thermoset resins. Arkema, through its Sartomer business line, says it has a specific N3xtDimensions offering for additive manufacturing processes and is now developing a new generation of solutions using the CF3D.

Having signed a joint development agreement (JDA) in September 2019, Arkema says both companies have already succeeded in hitting key milestones with the ongoing co-developments focused on progressing N3xtDimension photocurable resins for the CF3D process. These resins have reportedly enabled the production of customized and large-scale composite parts with high performance mechanical properties for applications in aeronautics, automotive and energy sectors, among many others.

Arkema also notes other current development projects including collaborations with Lockheed Martin (Bethesda, MD, U.S.), Air Force Research Laboratory (Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, U.S.), and Siemens (Munich, Germany).

“Our team diligently laid the foundation of our business and strategic relationships so when we enter the market, we have all the building blocks in place,” says Tyler Alvarado CEO and co-founder of Continuous Composites. “Arkema’s JDA and strategic investment demonstrates our commitment to bringing an exponential growth curve to various industries.”

Sumeet Jain, senior director of 3D Printing Worldwide at Arkema adds, “We are delighted to strengthen our strategic partnership with Continuous Composites, which has an agile, reliable team with a very strong entrepreneurial spirit. Our investment is a testament to our belief in the market opportunity of CF3D. This collaboration will accelerate the development of innovative materials and disruptive manufacturing technology.”