EMS-GRILTECH
Manufactures high-performance polyamide fibers and specialty chemicals for powder bed fusion (PBF) additive manufacturing, including DuraForm PAx Natural nylon copolymer developed with 3D Systems for selective laser sintering (SLS) printing.
- CEO / Founder
- Magdalena Martullo-Blocher
- Team Size
- 201-500
- Stage
- Active
Technology & Products
Key Products
DuraForm PAx Natural (nylon copolymer for SLS, 3D Systems partnership); Grilon PA6/PA610 staple fibers; Nexylon PA66 staple fibers; Nexylene fibers; Griltex hotmelt adhesives (copolyamide and copolyester); Grilbond adhesion promoters; Primid crosslinkers for powder coatings; Grilonit reactive diluents
Technological Advantage
DuraForm PAx Natural delivers 35% faster cycle time and reduced operating temperature vs. competitive SLS nylon materials, directly improving customer unit economics (time-to-part, printer uptime); material properties (high impact resistance, elongation at break, dimensional stability in all directions) enable design freedom comparable to injection molding—unique value proposition for SLS market; established quality standards (ISO 9001, automotive tier certifications); decades of polymer chemistry expertise creating defensible formulations; global supply chain maturity de-risks material continuity for OEM partnerships.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Reduces SLS print cycle time by 35% vs. standard nylon materials (DuraForm PAx Natural); enables lower operating temperatures increasing printer uptime; high-performance material properties (impact resistance, elongation at break, dimensional stability) equivalent to injection-molded plastics; compatible with any commercially-available SLS printer; established supply chain and 26 global production sites ensure reliability and scale.
How They Differentiate
Unlike point competitors (Sinterit, Farsoon—equipment-centric), EMS-GRILTECH provides material innovation independent of printer brand, enabling cross-platform adoption of DuraForm PAx Natural; vs. chemical conglomerates (BASF, DuPont), EMS-GRILTECH has deeper focus on powder-bed materials and established 3D Systems distribution; superior thermal and mechanical properties of DuraForm PAx Natural (35% faster cycle time, lower processing temperature, high elongation) proven in real-world SLS workflows.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
SLS/PBF equipment manufacturers, additive manufacturing service providers, aerospace/defense contractors, automotive OEMs, industrial manufacturers
Industry Verticals
Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing; Aerospace & Defense; Automotive; Electronics; Textiles; Tire Manufacturing; Powder Coatings; Industrial Applications
Competitors
3D Systems (integrated materials + equipment provider for SLS); Sinterit (Poland-based SLS printer manufacturer with proprietary nylon materials); Farsoon Technologies (China-based SLS manufacturer with in-house material development); BASF (broad polyamide portfolio, emerging AM focus); DuPont (Delrin, Zytel polymers for industrial applications)
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
EMS Group (parent) net sales 2025: CHF 1,950M (~$2.1B USD); EBIT 2025: CHF 567M (~$620M USD). Parent company EMS-CHEMIE HOLDING AG market capitalization ~$5.61B (as of 2024). EMS-GRILTECH operates as mature business unit within larger public company; specific unit revenue/EBIT not disclosed separately.
Major Milestones
May 1, 2009: EMS-PRIMID and EMS-GRILTECH merged to form consolidated Business Unit EMS-GRILTECH; June 28, 2022: Strategic partnership with 3D Systems announced for DuraForm PAx Natural nylon copolymer development; 2022-2025: DuraForm PAx Natural adoption grows in SLS market; partnership enables global distribution through 3D Systems channels
Notable Customers
3D Systems