Solvay Ventures, the venture capital fund of Solvay, invests in the Zurich-based startup 9T Labs to bring additive manufacturing of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) parts to mass production.

9T Labs’ patented Red Series Additive Fusion Solution technology, a hybrid of 3D printing and compression molding, enables complex, high-performance structural parts to be produced in carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites in volumes up to thousands of parts per year.

It provides a cost-competitive solution for manufacturing that will allow structural CFRP parts to replace metals at a much faster rate in demanding applications in many sectors such as aerospace, automotive and healthcare.

Solvay invests in 9T Labs to accelerate replacement of CFRP parts to metals in different demanding applications.

“9T Labs combines the flexibility and optimization potential of 3D printing with the mechanical performance of compression molded parts, bringing the best of both additive and conventional manufacturing to the world of advanced materials,” stated Thomas Canova, head of technology scouting and venturing at Solvay.

This technology complements Solvay’s unmatched portfolio of high-performance thermoplastic polymers and deep expertise in the production of thermoplastic composite prepreg tape to make the next leap.

As a leader in thermoplastic composites, Solvay also brings expertise in the engineering of material solutions to ensure the technology can be integrated seamlessly into manufacturing lines of 9T Labs’ customers.

“Our technology combined with Solvay’s high-performance and recyclable materials will change this and make CFRP parts more sustainable, accessible and cost-competitive, especially at higher volumes. In addition, the participation of Solvay Ventures in a consortium of high-caliber investors provides us with the funds to rapidly scale our business,” remarked Martin Eichenhofer, 9T Labs co-founder and CEO.

Solvay Ventures, the venture capital fund of Solvay, invests in the Zurich-based startup 9T Labs to bring additive manufacturing of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) parts to mass production.

9T Labs’ patented Red Series Additive Fusion Solution technology, a hybrid of 3D printing and compression molding, enables complex, high-performance structural parts to be produced in carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites in volumes up to thousands of parts per year.

It provides a cost-competitive solution for manufacturing that will allow structural CFRP parts to replace metals at a much faster rate in demanding applications in many sectors such as aerospace, automotive and healthcare.

Solvay invests in 9T Labs to accelerate replacement of CFRP parts to metals in different demanding applications.

“9T Labs combines the flexibility and optimization potential of 3D printing with the mechanical performance of compression molded parts, bringing the best of both additive and conventional manufacturing to the world of advanced materials,” stated Thomas Canova, head of technology scouting and venturing at Solvay.

This technology complements Solvay’s unmatched portfolio of high-performance thermoplastic polymers and deep expertise in the production of thermoplastic composite prepreg tape to make the next leap.

As a leader in thermoplastic composites, Solvay also brings expertise in the engineering of material solutions to ensure the technology can be integrated seamlessly into manufacturing lines of 9T Labs’ customers.

“Our technology combined with Solvay’s high-performance and recyclable materials will change this and make CFRP parts more sustainable, accessible and cost-competitive, especially at higher volumes. In addition, the participation of Solvay Ventures in a consortium of high-caliber investors provides us with the funds to rapidly scale our business,” remarked Martin Eichenhofer, 9T Labs co-founder and CEO.