Arkema and Carbon Strengthen Partnership to Advance 3D-Printed Consumer Products
Arkema and Carbon are expanding their long-standing partnership to advance 3D printing for footwear, sporting goods and consumer products. As 3D printing gains popularity across consumer markets, both companies are combining their expertise in advanced materials and digital manufacturing.
The partnership spans more than 13 years. During this time, the companies have worked to expand the use of additive manufacturing in consumer products. Carbon develops high-performance elastomeric resins for its Digital Light Synthesis™ (DLS) technology. It also draws on Arkema’s expertise in UV-curable specialty materials.
Advanced Materials Improve Product Performance
Together, the companies help Carbon’s customers create complex lattice structures for footwear and sporting equipment. Manufacturers can adjust these structures to deliver specific levels of cushioning, support and energy return.
Carbon’s Chief Technology Officer, Jason Rolland, highlighted the role of advanced materials in this process.
“3D printing is becoming increasingly competitive with traditional manufacturing, giving brands greater freedom to rethink how products are designed and produced. Great resins start with great materials.
Arkema’s material science and expertise in scaling up give our team a reliable foundation, so we can focus on developing elastomers that unlock new levels of performance, comfort and customization.”
Across athletic footwear, fashion and lifestyle products, these capabilities also help brands bring new designs to market faster.
3D Printing Enables Customised Footwear
Vivobarefoot’s custom 3D-printed sandal offers a recent example of this approach. The process uses individual foot scans to create made-to-order footwear for each customer.
As a result, brands can offer a more personalised product while reducing inventory needs and material waste. This approach also shows how digital manufacturing can support new product models across consumer markets.
Julie Haevermans, Vice President of Marketing, Arkema Coating Solutions, highlighted the potential of the partnership.
“As brands look for new ways to deliver greater performance and personalization while reducing waste, we see tremendous opportunity to rethink how consumer products are designed and brought to market. We look forward to building on our collaboration with Carbon and continuing to push the boundaries of innovative material development to support the next generation of consumer products, with performance and sustainability at the forefront.”
Advancing the Future of Consumer Products
Through their continued collaboration, Arkema and Carbon aim to develop new materials and manufacturing solutions for consumer products. Their work focuses on improving product performance, comfort and personalisation while keeping sustainability in view.
