Henkel Introduces New 3D Printing Materials Solutions for Industrial Production

Henkel is accelerating the market launch of specialty materials in 3D printing solutions, providing customers with comprehensive equipment knowledge and service. The Adhesive Technologies Business Unit is strengthening its ecosystem through strategic partnerships with global technology leaders; thereby advancing beyond the prototype phase in additive manufacturing in emerging markets to develop end-use part production. Henkel Adhesive Technologies offers customers worldwide a broad range of high-performance materials and adhesives, including light-curing acrylics, silicones, epoxies and polyurethanes. The Adhesive Technologies Business Unit develops effective solutions with custom-made products for different industrial sectors. With its technical knowledge and expertise, Henkel produces new materials tailored to different 3D printing processes and technologies.

Henkel is also increasing the diversity of services and equipment to accelerate the industrial use of 3D printing solutions.

Among these services and equipment are curing solutions, post-processing such as impregnation and surface treatment, as well as specially manufactured facilitating equipment for automation. These products and services further strengthen Henkel's additive manufacturing ecosystem while simultaneously accelerating the integration of 3D-printed materials into industrial assembly and supply chain infrastructure. Philipp Loosen, Head of 3D Printing at Henkel Adhesive Technologies Business Unit, stated: "We believe that the full potential of additive manufacturing will be realized by selecting the right materials and correctly defining the customer's application, combined with the right printing process and proper software." Loosen added: "For this reason, we have formed partnerships with Carbon and HP, companies that have developed exciting technologies for 3D printing solutions and are leaders in the technology field. These collaborations give us the opportunity to apply our technical knowledge of these materials and our customer base when developing new solutions for industrial production." Henkel is working with Carbon on materials and specialized dispensing equipment required for polymerization-based 3D printing technologies. The two companies together have developed the MMD device (Meter Mix Dispensing), a resin dispensing system that will support Carbon's SpeedCell production system, which enables the proper and large-scale distribution of Carbon's materials. Additionally, Henkel is beginning the development of Loctite resins for Carbon's material ecosystem. Henkel is also working with HP's "Open Platform" to develop materials for HP's powder fusion-based Jet Fusion technology. Furthermore, Henkel became the first global reseller of HP Jet Fusion 3D printing solutions to facilitate industrial production capabilities.