Braskem Breaks into 3D Printing Materials Market with Help from 3D Systems Large Format EXT Titan Pellet 3D Printer

Braskem is one of the world’s largest producers of polyolefins, with many thousands of customers using their materials for traditional injection molding and thermoforming. In 2020 Braskem launched its additive manufacturing materials division focusing on promoting its growing range of recycled, bio-based, polypropylene, and polyethylene 3D printing pellets, filaments, and powders for 3D printing. Braskem purchased a 3D Systems EXT 1070 Titan Pellet (formerly called Titan Atlas 2.5H) large-format 3D printer to test its materials and create parts for showcase, relying on the machine’s large-scale, high-resolution parts with excellent surface quality and end-use functionality.  

As Braskem built out its additive manufacturing materials division, one unique challenge was to build brand awareness and educate clients on the value of these new materials in additive manufacturing applications.  

In 2021, Braskem purchased an EXT 1070 Titan Pellet 3D printer, equipped with two pellet extruders and one filament extruder, for their additive manufacturing lab located in Pittsburgh, PA. The machine was purchased to begin showcasing its material capabilities through large-scale printed parts targeted at automotive, aerospace, nautical, furniture, and other industries. The Braskem team decided on the 3D Systems EXT 1070 Titan Pellet printer after doing extensive market research on a variety of large format pellet based systems. Ultimately the team was impressed with the quality, performance, and versatility of the EXT Titan Pellet series machines which can produce large-scale, high-resolution parts with excellent surface quality and end-use functionality, with no visible warping or distortion. Once the machine was installed, the Braskem team worked in collaboration with a 3D design studio, Dive Design, to develop large format showcase pieces that could be displayed at tradeshows, conferences, and internally at the Braskem additive manufacturing lab. The team created a fully watertight paddleboard, printed in 3 modular parts with no post-processing and a set of custom off-road SUV door panels and fender flares, complete with custom 3D printed accessories; such as a shovel holder, tent hooks, and cup holders, for the outdoor adventurer. 

With their 3D printed demonstration parts, Braskem generated over 400 leads in 3 days at the 2022 RAPID additive manufacturing show in Detroit – more leads than in the past 2 years. They were also able to successfully demonstrate their range of material capabilities to industry experts including brand owners, start-ups, service bureaus, and OEMs to great effect. In addition, a number of new potential clients have reached out to Braskem to help them produce 3D printed prototypes to help them accelerate their internal additive manufacturing programs.