DSM and 3D manufacturing firm announce photopolymer partnership

Royal DSM, a global science-based company in nutrition, health and sustainable living has announced a partnership with Adaptive3D, the additive manufacturing polymer resin supplier.

DSM will help produce, distribute and sell Adaptive3D’s newest product, Soft ToughRubber, a new 3D printable photopolymer. The material allows manufacturers to explore applications in medical models and consumer products.

Noud Steffens, market development director additive manufacturing at DSM: “This partnership allows us to combine DSM’s global supply chain and strong relationships in key markets with Adaptive3D’s proprietary material innovations. Yet another example of how DSM’s commitment to build a global additive manufacturing ecosystem offers Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) across the globe access to cutting-edge materials.”

DSM invested in Adaptive3D Technologies earlier in 2019, and now partners with the company to sell, distribute and produce Soft ToughRubber, Adaptive3D’s new material. Soft ToughRubber will enable innovation in anatomical medical models as well as in wearable electronics or consumer products such as audio earbuds. The material combines the feel and mechanical properties of silicone with the resolution and surface finish that Digital Light Processing (DLP) printing provides.

DSM believes that innovative materials such as Soft ToughRubber pave the way to applications that allow us to reinvent the way we design and manufacture products.

Walter Voit, founder and CEO of Adaptive3D Technologies said: “Aside from new applications in consumer products and medical models, Soft ToughRubber adds to the available materials for manufacturers looking for sustainable options. Thanks to additive manufacturing, we are able to reduce material waste in parts production. DLP printing also uses light instead of heat to cure materials, leading to dramatically lower energy consumption and a lower carbon footprint.”

DSM and Adaptive3D will continue working together closely to explore new applications and develop materials that best meet market needs. The companies will focus on and codevelop materials that enable next-generation soft, flexible and elastic solutions.