3D Prod acquires Sculpteo and aims to create a European leader in 3D printing services
The Atomic Layers: 00319
Atomic Layer of the Week:
A landmark deal in the French and European AM industry!
3D Prod has announced the acquisition of Sculpteo - one of the pioneers of digital additive manufacturing.
This marks a symbolic return of Sculpteo to French ownership after several years under the control of the German chemical giant BASF.
Sculpteo was founded in 2009 by Clément Moreau and Eric Carreel. Alongside Belgium’s Materialise and the Netherlands’ Shapeways, it was one of the first companies to build a sophisticated platform for ordering 3D-printed parts for both industrial companies and individual users.
The company developed a digital platform enabling users to upload files and order parts in more than 75 materials and finishes. In 2015, Sculpteo opened an office in San Francisco, entering the U.S. market, and three years later it was already serving more than 100,000 customers worldwide.
The company specialized in SLS and SLA technologies, and its platform also allowed users to edit and optimize models directly in the browser.
In November 2019, BASF - one of the world’s largest chemical corporations - acquired Sculpteo through its subsidiary BASF New Business GmbH.
BASF wanted to build a distribution channel for its advanced 3D printing materials developed under the Forward AM brand, while Sculpteo brought to the equation a broad customer base and a ready-made digital platform.
For Sculpteo users, this meant access to an expanded portfolio of industrial-grade materials. At the time, the deal appeared to be a win for both sides.
Reality, however, proved more complicated. In 2022, both founders left the company. In 2023, Sculpteo shut down its marketplace for independent designers, focusing exclusively on professional industrial services. The decision made business sense, but it was painful for the designer community that had spent years building their portfolios on the platform.
The key turning point came in July 2024, when BASF announced the divestment of the entire Forward AM business unit, including Sculpteo, effectively withdrawing from the 3D printing sector. Sculpteo became part of an independent organization while waiting for a new owner.
3D Prod comes from a very different background. Operating from Raon-l’Étape in the Vosges department, the company specializes in industrial 3D printing and custom manufacturing solutions. One of its strengths is the support of Platex - a company specializing in plastic injection molding.
This gives 3D Prod a unique advantage: the ability to offer comprehensive solutions ranging from prototyping to serial production. It is a company with strong industrial manufacturing roots, closely aligned with the needs of French and European manufacturers.
The merger creates a group employing 100 people, with combined revenue of €17 million and the ambition to reach €20 million by 2027.
The new entity operates two production facilities - in the Vosges region and in Villejuif near Paris - and serves more than 7,000 corporate customers across 62 countries. Particularly impressive is its machine fleet, which includes one of the world’s largest installations of HP MJF printers.
The group’s strategy is divided into two phases. Until 2027, the priority will be integration and leveraging the complementary expertise of both companies.
Starting in 2027, the second phase will focus on investments in modernizing the machine fleet, recruitment, and accelerating serial production, in line with the projected market growth exceeding 10% annually.
Atomic Layer from the Past:
Today, my friends, we have two!
14 years ago, Stratasys launched the Mojo 3D Printer, the cheapest professional-grade system at $9,900. It featured FDM technology and easy cartridge-like material loading. However, its tiny build volume and high price made it uncompetitive against cheaper alternatives like MakerBot. Discontinued quickly, Mojo symbolized a failed attempt to dominate the growing desktop 3D printing market.
Read all:
And on the very same day, but 9 years ago, Formlabs launched Form Wash and Form Cure at RAPID+TCT. These post-processing devices automated process of resin cleaning and UV curing, replacing messy manual workflows. Form Cure enabled medical-grade biocompatibility. Both streamlined the Form 2 ecosystem, greatly speeding production.
Read all:
News & Gossip:
#1
Backed by Lockheed Martin Ventures and In-Q-Tel, Firestorm Labs raised $82 million in Series B funding, to scale its xCell containerized 3D printing platform. The system produces combat-ready drones directly in the field, addressing contested logistics in the Indo-Pacific.
#2
In Q1 2026, Materialise swung to a net profit of €1.82 million, reversing a €535,000 loss from Q1 2025. Revenue held flat at €66.28 million. Gross profit rose 3.2%, and adjusted EBIT margin expanded to 3.7% from 1.0%. Net cash grew to €72.83 million. The Medical segment grew 6.7%.
The company reaffirmed 2026 revenue guidance of €273–283 million and adjusted EBIT of €10–12 million.
#3
SHINING 3D is another Chinese company willing to get some extra money from stock exchange. It filed for a Beijing Stock Exchange listing, aiming to raise 550 million yuan (75.7 million) by issuing up to 23 million shares.
The company posted strong 2025 results: 221 million revenue (+31% YoY) and net profit surging 190.9% in the first nine months. SHINING 3D met the exchange’s first listing standard based on 2024 net profit of 159.2 million yuan.
#4
Roboze acquired key assets from Dimanex to build an AI-powered, cloud-connected network for distributed manufacturing. Dimanex technology will integrate into Roboze’s Pandora and SlizeR software, enabling real-time optimization and digital inventory management.
#5
SprintRay received FDA clearance to 3D print porcelain dental crowns, entering the restorative dentistry market. CEO Amir Mansouri claims that they are able to print crowns in-office within 10–20 minutes, avoiding weeks-long lab delays.
#6
UltiMaker has boosted the performance of its S6 and S8 3D printers with the integration of the “Cheetah” motion planner. The upgrade enables print speeds up to 500 mm/s and acceleration of 50,000 mm/s². Beyond speed, UltiMaker boasts its extensive materials ecosystem: over 301 materials with ready-to-use print profiles.