How much funding has Arkema raised?

Arkema has raised $1.1B in total funding.

Who is the CEO of Arkema?

Thierry Le Hénaff is the CEO of Arkema. The company was founded in 2004.

Where is Arkema located?

Arkema is headquartered in Shanghai, China.

What funding stage is Arkema at?

Arkema is currently at the Active stage.

How many employees does Arkema have?

Arkema has approximately 10000+ employees.

Arkema

Name: AM Companies Database
Creator: AMPulse
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

MaterialsShanghai, ChinaFounded 2004· One of 963 Materials companies tracked by AMPulse

Develops high-performance polymer materials for additive manufacturing, including UV-curable resins, bio-based polyamides, and fluoropolymers for industrial 3D printing applications.

CEO / Founder: Thierry Le Hénaff
Team Size: 10000+
Stage: Active
Total Funding: $1.1B

Technology & Products

Key Products

N3xtDimension® UV-curable resins; Rilsan® bio-based polyamide 11 powders; Kynar® fluoropolymers; Kepstan® PEKK resins

Technological Advantage

Patented polymer chemistry and formulations protected by IP portfolio; vertically integrated from raw materials to finished AM materials; strategic investments in AM ecosystem (e.g., 10% stake in ERPRO 3D Factory).

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Provides specialty polymer materials that enable faster printing speeds, higher resolution, and superior mechanical properties for industrial AM applications, reducing prototyping costs by up to 60% and production lead times by weeks.

How They Differentiate

Focus on bio-based and sustainable materials (e.g., Rilsan® PA11) vs petroleum-based alternatives; broader portfolio spanning UV resins, powders, and filaments for multiple AM processes; strong IP in fluoropolymers and high-temperature polymers.

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Material formulators, 3D printer manufacturers, industrial end-users in aerospace, automotive, medical, and consumer goods

Industry Verticals

Aerospace; Automotive; Medical; Consumer Electronics; Industrial Manufacturing

Competitors

BASF, Dow Chemical, DuPont

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Group reported sales of €9.5 billion in 2024; specialty materials account for 92% of sales; China operations include 10 production bases and 2 R&D centers.

Major Milestones

Founded in 2004 from Total Group's chemical business; Listed on Euronext Paris in 2006; Entered China market in 1984; Acquired 10% stake in ERPRO 3D Factory in 2023; Opened major production platform in Changshu, China

Notable Customers

Notable customers in additive manufacturing include aerospace manufacturers using Rilsan® PA11 for 3D printed parts, automotive companies utilizing Kynar® PVDF for chemical-resistant components, and electronics firms adopting N3xtDimension® resins for high-precision prototyping. Specific customer names not disclosed on public materials.

https://www.arkema.cn/en/

Why this company matters

Arkema positions itself as a materials supplier rather than a printer manufacturer, filling the gap between commodity thermoplastics and application-specific AM polymers. Its portfolio spans N3xtDimension UV-curable resins for vat polymerization, Rilsan bio-based PA11 powders for powder bed fusion, Kynar fluoropolymers for chemical-resistant parts, and Kepstan PEKK resins for high-temperature applications. The company's proprietary PA11, derived from castor oil with 100% renewable carbon content, offers a sustainability advantage over petroleum-based alternatives from BASF, Dow, and DuPont.

The materials are optimized for polymer MEX, polymer PBF-LB, and VPP-SLA processes, targeting aerospace, automotive, medical, and consumer electronics end-users. Arkema claims its specialty polymers can reduce prototyping costs by up to 60% and shorten production lead times by weeks, though specific customer names are not publicly disclosed. A 10% strategic stake in ERPRO 3D Factory, acquired in 2023, signals vertical integration into the AM service bureau ecosystem.

Arkema's technological moat rests on patented polymer chemistry and a vertically integrated supply chain from raw materials to finished AM powders and resins. The company reported group sales of €9.5 billion in 2024, with specialty materials accounting for 92% of revenue. Its China operations include 10 production bases and 2 R&D centers, supporting local material formulators and machine manufacturers. A key open question is how Arkema's bio-based materials will compete on cost and performance as petroleum-based alternatives continue to improve.