According to media reports, Forward AM, a German company for 3D printing materials, has filed for insolvency. This is according to documents from the local court in Heidelberg. The announcement comes just a few days after the company took part in Formnext 2024.
Under German law, the managing directors of a company must file for insolvency as soon as they learn of a possible inability to pay. This usually takes place within three weeks. Reasons for insolvency can be insolvency, over-indebtedness or imminent insolvency. The proceedings can either aim to restructure the company, if this is feasible, or end in a liquidation of assets to satisfy creditors.
Forward AM was founded in 2017 as part of BASF. The company developed materials such as filaments, powders and photopolymers. A well-known product is the Ultrafuse metal filament, which enables stainless steel for 3D printing with FDM systems. In 2024, the management had announced a buyout to separate Forward AM from BASF. However, the current insolvency announcement indicates difficulties in implementing these plans.
Forward AM’s insolvency is part of a larger trend. Several large chemical companies are withdrawing from the 3D printing materials market. For example, the French company KIMYA, a subsidiary of the ARMOR GROUP, recently ended its activities in this area. The Brazilian chemical giant Braskem also discontinued the production of its 3D printing filaments.
Industry experts are critical of the market development. Many argue that the withdrawal of major players is due to short-term profit orientation. Although the market for additive manufacturing is growing steadily, it has not been able to deliver the growth rates expected by multinational corporations. Nevertheless, the sector remains a promising field, especially for specialized providers.
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