Replacing metal with 3D printed thermoplastic composites will allow manufacturers to create lighter cars and planes, reducing fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. To that end, Solvay Ventures, Solvay’s venture capital fund, is investing in Zurich-based startup 9T Labs to bring the additive manufacturing of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) parts to mass production. Currently, materials offered by 9T Labs include PA 12 and PEKK matrix resins with up to 60% carbon fiber (HexTow AS4 PAN-based fiber from Hexcel).
9T Labs' hybrid manufacturing technology enables complex, high-performance structural components to be produced in CFRP in thousands of units per year. The material is a cost-competitive metal replacement in demanding applications in many industries, including aerospace, automotive and healthcare.
“9T Labs combines the flexibility and optimization potential of 3D printing with the mechanical properties of compression-molded parts, bringing the benefits of additive and conventional manufacturing to the world of advanced materials,” said the person.
This technology complements Solvay's expertise in the production of high-performance thermoplastic polymers and thermoplastic composite prepreg tapes, delivering the next big leap. As a leader in thermoplastic composites, Solvay also provides expertise in material solutions engineering to ensure the technology can be seamlessly integrated into 9T Labs customers' production lines.
The person added: “For the manufacture of small complex parts, metal still dominates because the manufacture of CFRP structural parts is not cost-competitive and, in many cases, technically infeasible. Our technology and Solvay's combination of high-performance and recyclable materials will change that, making CFRP parts more sustainable, accessible and cost-competitive, especially in high-volume production. Solvay Ventures joins a consortium of high-quality investors and provides us with capital to rapidly scale our business."