Solvay USA (Alpharetta, Ga.; www.solvay.us) today announced a cooperation agreement with Stratasys (NASDAQ: SSYS) to develop new high-performance additive manufacturing (AM) filaments for exclusive use in Stratasys’ FDM F900 3D Printers.
“Stratasys’ customers have been repeatedly asking for more varied, high-performance materials, while many of Solvay’s customers want our high-performance polymers to be enabled for use on Stratasys’ industrial 3D printing systems. This important partnership between our two companies now allows us to fulfil these burgeoning needs,” said Christophe Schramm, business manager for Additive Manufacturing for Solvay’s Specialty Polymers global business unit.
As part of their joint product roadmap, Solvay and Stratasys will work together to develop a high-performance AM filament based on Solvay’s versatile Radel polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) polymer that will meet stringent FAR* 25.853 compliance requirements for use in aerospace applications. Both companies aim to commercialize this new Radel PPSU filament in 2020. Additional high-performance products meeting industry-specific needs in other key AM end-use markets will follow.
“Solvay is a trusted leader of diverse, tested materials for demanding aerospace, automotive, and medical industries. We’re proud to have this new collaboration agreement in place which will give customers the ability to further expand FDM 3D printing into production applications,” said Rich Garrity, President, Stratasys Americas.
Solvay has a 25-year track record with Radel PPSU grades developed specifically for use in aircraft cabin interior components which are compliant with all commercial and regulatory requirements for flammability, smoke density, heat release, and toxic gas emissions. These grades also offer excellent chemical resistance and exceptional toughness.
“This partnership with Stratasys is an important step in Solvay’s strategy to build a solid, diverse AM ecosystem to better serve our customers. The combination of Solvay’s materials’ selection and expertise with Stratasys’ high quality, repeatable 3D printing capabilities will open up new possibilities for additive manufacturing in more of the industries that we serve today for ‘traditional’ manufacturing,” said Schramm.