BASF 3D Printing Solutions has signed an agreement with Swiss tech provider ALSO, which will distribute its BASF Ultrasint TPU01 thermoplastic material. The material, specifically developed for HP’s Jet Fusion 5200 3D printer series, is well-suited for applications in the automotive, footwear and sports markets because of its abrasion-resistance, toughness and flexibility.
The new distribution agreement will enable customers across Europe to order BASF’s Ultrasint TPU01 material from ALSO, which also has HP’s Jet Fusion 5200 series in its product range. The Emmen-based company is known for bridging ICT industry providers and vendors. Today, ALSO gives over 550 vendors of hardware, software and IT services access to over 100,000 buyers. ALSO has representation in 23 countries across Europe.
“By cooperating with ALSO, complimented with the infrastructure of HP, we are able to strengthen the distribution of Ultrasint TPU01 and improve our network,” said François Minec, Managing Director of BASF 3D Printing Solutions GmbH.
Gustavo Möller-Hergt, CEO of ALSO Holding, added: “Additive manufacturing will only become a genuine production process alternative once the choice of materials is right and the result is convincing. With this BASF material, we are expanding the capabilities of our HP Jet Fusion 3D printing portfolio to include an extremely high-quality product that can be used in the production of a wide range of goods and components—from sports shoes to automobiles.”
BASF first unveiled Ultrasint TPU01 last May, when it announced the launch of its production-ready Jet Fusion 5200 series. Used in combination with the 3D printing platform, the material offers many attractive properties, including excellent flexibility and shock absorption. By leveraging the material’s properties and additive design principles, users can produce end-use components, including protective casings and coverings, pipe networks grippers, gaskets and even shoes.
The announcement marks a significant expansion of the new material’s availability. In September 2019, Materialise became the first company to offer the TPU-based material for HP’s Jet Fusion 5200 Series.
