The cooperation between naddcon GmbH from Upper Franconia and Zurich-based Spectroplast AG, which was concluded in May 2025, will make industrial 3D printing of pure silicone available for a wider range of applications. The focus is on the newly developed material TrueSilX50, a silicone-based photopolymer that is specially designed for the additive manufacturing of sophisticated elastomer components. The agreement includes the exclusive production of Spectroplast customer orders by naddcon, which uses Luma X1 machines from Axtra3D specifically for this purpose.
TrueSilX50 closes a gap in the material portfolio of additive manufacturing that was previously only addressed to a limited extent. Due to its low viscosity and difficult processing, silicone was long considered unsuitable for filigree structures in 3D printing. The new material combines a Shore hardness of 48A with high elongation at break and tear resistance, which makes it particularly interesting for medical components, flexible sealing systems and wearable electronics. It also has high chemical and thermal resistance and meets biocompatible requirements.
Dr. Pablo Hafner, CEO Spectroplast, says: “With our low-viscosity TrueSilX50, customers can for the first time print with unparalleled speed and resolution without compromising on mechanical requirements. On the production side, however, this requires the appropriate know-how. With naddcon, we have a technologically very experienced partner at our side, with whom we know that all our orders are in very good hands.”
The material is produced exclusively on the Luma-X1 platform, which hybridizes stereolithographic and DLP processes. This combination enables precise curing with a high surface quality. In order to meet the increasing demand, naddcon commissioned a second system in April 2025.
Christian Steinhage, Managing Director of naddcon, says: “As Spectroplast’s exclusive partner in Germany, we are consistently driving forward the establishment of silicone as a high-end polymer for 3D printing. We now see it as a real alternative to the injection molding process with a wide range of applications for companies. With the partnership with Spectroplast, we are further expanding our expertise in the field of polymer materials. As a private development and application center for 3D printing, we see a very strong foothold in this area in the future, both in terms of content and business.”
The partnership demonstrates the increasing importance of highly specialized materials in the additive manufacturing of complex functional components.
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