GRAFE
Blankenhain-based leading German masterbatch manufacturer supplying color masterbatches, functional additive masterbatches, and plastic compounds specifically formulated for 3D printing filament production — enabling filament makers to offer infinite color ranges, flame retardancy, UV stability, and material identification traceable at industrial scale.
- CEO / Founder
- Matthias Grafe, Clemens Grafe
- Team Size
- 201-500
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- Bootstrapped
- Latest Round
- Bootstrapped
Technology & Products
Key Products
GRAFE specializes in the refinement of thermoplastics, producing color masterbatches, additive masterbatches, and functional plastic compounds. They offer a revised standard black portfolio for 3D printing and support various industries, including automotive.
Technological Advantage
In-house filament extruder and 3D printer for direct material testing and validation; Tailorlux material identification technology for traceable industrial 3D printing; Color on Demand service starting at 2 kg with fast turnaround; 30+ years of polymer compound expertise applied to AM materials.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Provides filament and pellet manufacturers with precisely engineered color and functional masterbatches that meet international color standards (Pantone, RAL, HKS, NCS) and performance requirements — enabling Color on Demand services from 2 kg batch sizes and traceable material ID for industrial 3D printing quality assurance.
How They Differentiate
Dedicated in-house 3D printing lab for formulation testing; Color on Demand from just 2 kg (vs large-batch minimums of competitors); unique material traceability masterbatch with Tailorlux; family-owned agility vs large multinational competitors.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Filament and pellet manufacturers (FDM/FFF); industrial 3D printing material brands; injection molding and extrusion companies; automotive, consumer goods, and packaging manufacturers requiring colored or functional polymer compounds.
Industry Verticals
Additive Manufacturing; Injection Molding; Automotive; Consumer Goods; Packaging; Medical
Competitors
Clariant Masterbatches (global specialty chemicals, 3D printing additives); Cabot Microelectronics/Ampacet (global masterbatch majors); RTP Company (functional compounds for AM)
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
300+ employees; 3,000+ customers; 60+ countries served; in-house 3D printing lab and filament extruder operational
Major Milestones
1991: GRAFE GmbH & Co. KG founded in Blankenhain, Thuringia; Development of 3D printing masterbatch product line; Partnership with ColorFabb for Color on Demand service (announced 2018); 2023: Partnership with Tailorlux for traceable filament identification masterbatch; 2025: Launch of 25 PETG color formulations for pellet 3D printing
Notable Customers
Serves over 3000 customers in 60+ countries across various industries, with a strong focus on OEM customers in the automotive industry.