Henkel
Henkel logo
Leading global supplier of high performance materials for critical applications, Henkel is focused on developing novel filament and powder materials in the additive manufacturing field.
Henkel supplies light cure acrylic, silicone, epoxy and polyurethane adhesives which are commonly used in the medical, electronic and automotive industries. The company also supplies hotmelt adhesives.
These materials have already been introduced into additive manufacturing, being used to 3D print functional applications for furniture and buildings. This has encouraged Henkel to pursue their own 3D printing solutions in the growing market.
“Thanks to our broad material portfolio and our large customer base across different industries, we have the access and ability to enable 3D-printed solutions for all kinds of functional applications,” explained Mike Olosky, Corporate Senior Vice President and Global Head of Innovation and New Business Development at Henkel Adhesive Technologies.
“We believe strongly in the future of additive manufacturing and expect that its full potential will come by identifying the right customer application and focusing the right materials, with the right printing process and leveraging the right software.”
In addition to its vast experience in the development and formulation of suitable materials, Henkel has prepared for its movement into additive manufacturing by partnering with Dutch design and architecture start-up DUS Architects, who were responsible for initiating the canal house project in Amsterdam in 2014. Using a giant 3D printer, with installation space of 2 x 2 x 3.5 metres, a house façade, including the interior walls, made up of 42 components is to be printed and constructed by 2017.
Earlier this year, DUS designed the façade of a mobile conference building in Amsterdam. The individual components of the façade were produced using Henkel hotmelt adhesives based on sustainable raw materials before being injected with concrete. The bioplastic material provides the individual elements with high consistency and stability, and can also be easily recycled.
