Henkel Adhesive Technologies plans to leverage its technical expertise in material development to bring novel materials with unique properties to the additive manufacturing industry in areas not available today.

Henkel is a leading global supplier of light cure acrylic, silicone, epoxy, and polyurethane adhesives used in such applications as medical and electronic device as well as transportation vehicle assembly. The company plans to use its technology expertise to offer novel light cure resins for use in SLA/DLP 3D printing. The first of these new materials will be commercialized in 2017.

Henkel has already used materials from its filter, medical device assembly and protection of electronic assemblies to 3D print functional applications such as furniture and elements for buildings. Henkel is focusing development in this area to provide novel filament and powder materials for use in SLS and FDM printers.

“Thanks to our broad material portfolio and our large customer base across different industries, we have the access and ability to enable 3D printed solutions for all kinds of functional applications,” said Mike Olosky, corporate senior vice president and global head of innovation and new business development at Henkel Adhesive Technologies. “We believe strongly in the future of additive manufacturing and expect that its full potential will come by identifying the right customer application and focusing the right materials, with the right printing process and leveraging the right software.”

Henkel is in partnership with the Dutch design and architecture start-up DUS Architects, who initiated the canal house project in Amsterdam in 2014. With the help of a giant 3D printer (installation space 2 x 2 x 3.5 meters) a house façade, including the interior walls, made up of 42 components is to be printed and constructed by 2017. Earlier this year, DUS designed the façade of a mobile conference building in Amsterdam. The individual elements were manufactured using Henkel hotmelt adhesives based on sustainable raw materials, and then injected with concrete. The bioplastic material provides the individual components with high consistency and stability, and can easily be recycled.