BASF is expanding its 3D printing activities by strengthening the market presence in the area of powder bed fusion with new products and formulations (photo: BASF)
BASF New Business GmbH (BNB; Ludwigshafen, Germany) has acquired all the shares of Advanc3D Materials GmbH in Hamburg and Setup Performance SAS in Lyon. Advanc3D Materials offers advanced, tailor-made plastic powders and formulations for selective laser sintering (SLS) together with process knowhow. Setup Performance, which operates a production site in Lyon, is Advanc3D Materials’ most important partner in the development and manufacture of SLS materials. BNB is integrating both companies into its subsidiary BASF 3D Printing Solutions GmbH (B3DPS). The acquisition is an important step forward for BASF in its expansion in the field of 3D printing.
The Smartrac Technology Group (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) recently announced that the Chinese e-commerce and retail provider Alibaba Group will invest in the company, reinforcing both parties’ commitment to strengthening brand protection strategies. Michael Evans, president of Alibaba Group, will join Smartrac’s supervisory board.
Ynvisible Interactive Inc. (Vancouver, Canada), a company that specialises in creating ultra-low power displays for printed electronics, has been granted an EU patent for a specialised electrolyte formulation that allows for the integration of electrochromic inks directly into the electrolyte layers. This formulation offers a reduction in the overall number of ink layers required to produce electrochromic devices, substantially increasing manufacturing efficiency.
