Asahi Kasei
Global materials conglomerate (Tokyo stock exchange: 3407) producing CNF-reinforced polymer filaments (PA/CNF, SEBS/CNF) for FFF/FDM additive manufacturing of high-strength structural and flexible composite parts.
- CEO / Founder
- Koshiro Kudo
- Team Size
- 10000+
- Stage
- Public
- Total Funding
- Publicly Traded
- Latest Round
- IPO
- Key Investors
- The Master Trust Bank of Japan; Custody Bank of Japan; Nippon Life Insurance Company; Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company; Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
Technology & Products
Key Products
KARAKSA CNF-blended filaments (PA/CNF, SEBS/CNF) for FFF/FDM; Thermylon PA resins; LEONA engineering plastics (polyamide resin); TENAC polyacetal resin; XYRON modified PPE resin
Technological Advantage
Claimed: Superior mechanical properties (strength/flexibility) vs standard filaments. Verified: Corporate-scale material science expertise and established Thermylon® resin brand.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Reduces weight and increases strength of industrial components by replacing metal with CNF-reinforced polymers, leveraging established Thermylon® resin technology for 3D printing applications.
How They Differentiate
Utilizes proprietary cellulose nanofiber (CNF) reinforcement technology to achieve higher strength-to-weight ratios in PA and SEBS filaments compared to standard industrial offerings from BASF or Stratasys.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Industrial manufacturers in automotive and general engineering.
Industry Verticals
Automotive; Electronics; General Engineering
Competitors
BASF Ultrafuse; Stratasys; Kimya
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Launched trial sales of 3D printing filaments in the North American market in October 2023; expanded service offering to include engineering and CAE support for 3DP design in the automotive sector.
Major Milestones
Founded in 1922; Development of CNF-reinforced filaments for 3D printing; North America division recognized as Plastics News Best Place to Work
Notable Customers
Tungaloy Corporation; Ricoh Company, Ltd.; Ultimaker; Raise3D; Stratasys; Nexa3D