In October 2020, ICD Group announced the creation of ICD Applied Technologies; the new company has since then taken its next step by joining the additive manufacturing market.
ICD Group is a supplier of metals, specialty chemicals, plastics and food additives. Formed in 1952 as a chemicals trading company, ICD Group has expanded into distribution and manufacturing operations, which are now taking place in over 40 locations worldwide. ICD Applied Technologies was created in Sheffield, England, to add further value to the wealth of skills and knowledge that ICD brings to the metals sector. One of the company’s largest revenue sectors is aviation and aeronautics.
ICD’s core proposition when creating Applied Technologies was to build a company that uses the latest technology and metals to manufacture complex components for demanding applications. ICD’s vision is not to make mass components, but to bring focus and solutions to the manufacture of niche net shape components, and to do it with precision and passion.
Applied Technologies is consequently investing in a number of manufacturing capabilities. It has become one of the latest companies in the UK to invest in the GE Additive Concept Laser M2 system.
Jan Siebert, General Manager for GE Additive’s laser business said: “We are thrilled to see this investment and trust placed in our laser technology. It’s great to see the ICD Applied Technologies team put additive and an M2 system at the heart of its technology strategy, but also acknowledges the complementary synergies with conventional manufacturing. We know that approach can work really well, so I’m looking forward to see how this experienced team scales and grows its business over the coming years.”
Mathew Marsh, Commercial Director for ICD Applied Technologies said that “We are looking forward to working closely with GE Additive on developing our capability and I am sure this is just the start of an exciting journey”
Other technologies to support ICD Applied Technologies capability and development include complex canister manufacture using electro-forming, advanced machining and developments in powder metallurgy and associated technology.
As the business of supplying, sourcing, processing, and reprocessing of metals becomes ever more social, environmentally, and technically responsible ICD Group and ICD Applied Technologies are well placed to support this evolution in metals and play its part.
