At the upcoming FormNext event, one of the major trade shows for the additive manufacturing industry, on November 15-18 in Frankfurt, Germany, Prodways, subsidiary of Groupe Gorgé, will announce the signing of a strategic partnership with A. Schulman to strengthen its laser sintering powder range. By focusing their combined R&D efforts on materials, printers, and processes, the companies aim to achieve greater and faster development of new industrial applications.
Serving the markets for laser sintering, Prodways offers premium 3D printers with an open materials platform for a wide range of industrial and technical applications. This strategy aims to facilitate and accelerate innovation and the development of new materials with higher performance and improved mechanical properties. This open materials platform can provide genuine added value to industrial customers. As a contributor to this market, Prodways seeks to actively participate in the development of materials for 3D printing and is thus collaborating with A. Schulman.
Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, A. Schulman is a leading international supplier of high-performance plastic compounds and composites that are used as raw materials in a broad variety of markets. The company's principal product lines consist of proprietary and custom-formulated, engineered plastic compounds, composites, masterbatch solutions, color concentrates, and additives that improve the performance and appearance of plastics in a number of specialized applications.
“A. Schulman’s broad understanding of plastics, special technical and manufacturing expertise, and deep experience with all powder additives and modifiers helps optimize the performance, appearance and processability of polymers to meet the most demanding application requirements," says Alban D’Halluin, Prodways Technology CEO. "By partnering with A. Schulman, Prodways will access state-of-the-art compounding know-how to develop materials which are economical, reliable and whose mechanical properties are not yet reachable with 3D printing. “
By joining in this partnership, Prodways and A. Schulman seek to work with industrial and high-value companies to develop customized solutions for their needs in a wide range of markets. Both Prodways and A.Schulman include R&D teams and market specialists who constantly look for technical solutions, identify best manufacturing processes, and propose materials that will enhance industrial growth.
Prodways says this partnership marks another step forward in its innovation strategy: to promote the development of new applications for industrial markets and become a key provider of laser sintering complete solutions.
