US-based Align Technology, known for manufacturing braces, has announced the acquisition of Austrian 3D printing specialist Cubicure. Cubicure has developed a process for additive manufacturing of particularly durable plastic components.
Align said the acquisition strengthens the company’s core 3D printing competencies. It also expands the patent portfolio, it said. The integration of Cubicure is also expected to help expand Align’s printing, materials and manufacturing capabilities in the 3D printing space.
Cubicure specializes in a special technology called hot lithography. In this process, the component is built up layer by layer from high-viscosity resins. This is followed by heat treatment, which Cubicure says creates unusually tough and temperature-resistant plastics.
Align and Cubicure have reportedly been working together for years. The acquisition is now the logical next step in bringing Cubicure’s expertise in-house, he said. Align CEO Joe Hogan said the deal supports his company’s growth strategy. The goal, he said, is to expand 3D printing capabilities to produce millions of individualized products per day in the long term.
Align makes transparent braces through its Invisalign brand and operates one of the world’s largest 3D printing facilities. The Cubicure acquisition is expected to help further optimize this large-scale 3D printing operation.
The acquisition is expected to close before the end of 2023 or in early 2024, according to Align. The purchase price was said to be around €79 million. Align already holds shares in Cubicure. The complete acquisition will allow the U.S. company to exclusively use the groundbreaking manufacturing processes.
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