BASF Creates New Division for 3D Printing

Global chemical giant BASF has created a new division for additive manufacturing, the technical term for 3D printing. Over the past few years, BASF has become more involved with 3D printing through partnerships with companies like HP and Essentium Materials. In order to focus further on production-quality 3D printing, the company has created a wholly owned subsidiary named BASF 3D Printing Solutions GmbH, that will initially have a team of just 30 expert employees and will be dedicated entirely to 3D printing.

The new company will be helmed by BASF New Business Managing Director Volker Hammes, who will be the company’s Managing Director. Hammes has been the head of BASF’s 3D printing business unit from 2016.

Commenting on the new company, Hammes said that the field of 3D printing, especially when it comes to industrial applications is one that is still developing at a very fast pace. This environment called for a startup-like structure to facilitate quick decision-making and flexibility.

The new company will work out of its headquarters at the InnovationLab GmbH site in Heidelberg, Germany. BASF’s new company will work on 3D printing materials, system solutions, components, and services, and collaborate closely with both internal and external researchers.

Hammes does not visualize 3D printing as replacing injection molding anytime soon, but does feel that it can be used effectively as part of a combined approach to make manufacturing more efficient. According to Hammes, BASF became serious about additive manufacturing right from an early stage, around 2012-13 and the establishment of the new company in mid-2017 highlights the fact that the leading chemical company is indeed very serious about the process.

Hemmes strongly feels that when it comes to 3D manufacturing, design and process are as important as material properties and the technology can help minimize risks through over-engineering and learning with few materials. It also expedites the manufacturing process by reducing the time period needed to proceed from prototyping to industrial manufacturing of functional parts.

3D printing is currently set to transform manufacturing industries like the automotive, aerospace and consumer goods production by making the design and production process more efficient.