PollyPolymer expands resin 3D printing and focuses on Europe

PollyPolymer is a Chinese company founded in 2017 that has quickly established itself as a supplier of industrial polymer materials and 3D printing systems. The company initially grew strongly in the domestic market, but is now increasingly focusing its activities on international customers. Europe is also becoming a greater focus, both as a sales market for materials and systems and for development partnerships.

A key element of the strategy is a broad material portfolio. PollyPolymer claims to have around 10,000 material formulations developed for various industrial applications. This offering is complemented by the company’s own TAPS series of resin 3D printing systems. The largest model has a build volume of 995 × 745 × 2102 millimeters, making it one of the largest systems in the field of resin processes. The company cites its proprietary “hindered asynchronous light synthesis” (HALS) technology as the technological basis for its systems. This technology is said to enable significantly higher printing speeds while reducing the typical separation problems of classic bottom-up MSLA or DLP systems, where the detachment of layers from the tank bottom slows down the process.

Beyond hardware and materials, PollyPolymer positions itself as a solution provider. This includes proprietary software for designing complex lattice structures. The “Super Designer Lattice Software” allows components with multi-zone, foam-like structures to be designed, whose properties can be adapted locally. In addition, the company operates automated production with TAPS printers to produce series and functional components on demand.

PollyPolymer currently generates most of its revenue in the footwear industry. Printed soles, upper materials, and complete shoes form the core of the business. At the same time, the company is expanding the use of its materials and printing processes to other areas, including robotics, sports equipment, smart home components, and dental applications. In robotics, highly elastic materials are used for bionic actuators and damping elements, among other things.

International expansion is gaining in importance. Around a quarter of sales already come from abroad, with annual growth rates of over 40 percent. This share is set to rise further in the coming years, partly through a stronger presence in Europe. In addition to industrial partnerships, PollyPolymer plans to establish its own consumer goods brand and brick-and-mortar locations in key markets. The company is thus increasingly positioning itself as a global provider of material-driven resin 3D printing with an industrial focus.