French specialty chemicals company Arkema is strengthening its partnership with startup Continuous Composites, creator of Continuous Fiber 3D Printing (CF3D) technology. Arkema said that it has invested in the Coeur d’Alene, ID–based company to rapidly advance the development of 3D composite manufacturing, a groundbreaking innovation for strong, lightweight structures.

Continuous Composites claims to have re-invented composite manufacturing techniques using its patented CF3D technology, which incorporates software, hardware, materials, and motion platforms.

Arkema’s expertise in designing photocurable liquid resins through its Sartomer business line has given the company a specific N3xtDimension offering for additive manufacturing processes. It is now developing a new generation of solutions for CF3D. N3xtDimension is part of the 3D Printing Solutions by Arkema platform.

The two companies signed a joint development agreement (JDA) in September 2019 and have already achieved key milestones in developing N3xtDimension photocurable resins for the CF3D process. This innovation has enabled the production of custom, large-scale composite parts with high-performance mechanical properties for applications in aeronautics, automotive, and energy sectors, among others.

Current development projects include collaborations with Lockheed Martin, Air Force Research Laboratory, and Siemens.

“Our team diligently laid the foundation of our business and strategic relationships so when we enter the market, we have all the building blocks in place,” said Tyler Alvarado, CEO and  co-founder of Continuous Composites. “Arkema’s JDA and strategic investment demonstrates our commitment to bringing an exponential growth curve to various industries. We are enabling more innovation through our alliance with Arkema’s 60 years of material science expertise and our dedicated R&D capabilities.”