Forward AM Acquires XSTRAND^® Business Line from Owens Corning

• Acquisition broadens Forward AM 3D printing materials portfolio
• Glass fiber reinforced filaments enable highly demanding industrial 3D printing applications

To continue to expand its position as a leading materials and service provider in the Additive Manufacturing industry, effective August 06, 2020 Forward AM acquires the XSTRAND^® business line from Owens Corning, a global building and industrial materials leader. The scope of the acquisition entails the transfer of the brand and key IP, but does not envisage the transfer of any personnel.
This acquisition will enable Forward AM to expand its portfolio with advanced glass fiber reinforced filaments. The superior strength of this material meets the needs of customers with demanding applications in 3D printing.
The XSTRAND^® product line consists of three glass fiber reinforced filaments (Polyamide 6, Polypropylene, Polycarbonate) developed by Owens Corning. Parts printed with glass fiber reinforced filaments demonstrate high rigidity and strength. While the XSTRAND^® product line contains 30 percent glass fibers, it continues to enable easy printing and handling.
Thanks to the glass fiber reinforcement, XSTRAND^® filaments’ mechanical properties outperform market standard polymer filaments. With the integrated glass fibers, the filaments show outstanding heat deflection and high durability, amongst other characteristics, making them particularly suited for challenging applications in 3D printing for automotive or household appliances, for instance.

"Through the acquisition of the Owens Corning XSTRAND^® business, we are able to serve our customers with new and innovative filaments for 3D printing. By adding these high-performing materials, Forward AM now offers one of the broadest product ranges in the entire Additive Manufacturing industry, with expert solutions tailored to all industrial customer needs”, explains François Minec, Managing Director BASF 3D Printing Solutions.

Dr. Christopher Skinner, Vice President of Strategic Marketing, Composites, Owens Corning, adds: "BASF’s capability will enable the further acceleration of XSTRAND^® products and support future growth of the composites industry. Owens Corning will continue its collaboration with BASF as we transition XSTRAND^® to them.”

About 3D Printing Solutions

BASF 3D Printing Solutions GmbH, headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, is a 100% subsidiary of BASF New Business GmbH. It focuses on establishing and expanding the business under the Forward AM brand with advanced materials, system solutions, components and services in the field of 3D printing. BASF 3D Printing Solutions is organized into startup-like structures to serve customers in the dynamic 3D printing market. It cooperates closely with the global research platforms and application technologies of various departments at BASF as well as with research institutes, universities, startups and industrial partners. Potential customers are primarily companies that intend to use 3D printing for industrial manufacturing. Typical industries include automotive, aerospace and consumer goods. For further information please visit: www.forward-am.com.

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 117,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2019. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.