ITOCHU Ceratech
Manufactures ceramic sand (Cerabeads®) specifically optimized for binder jetting 3D printing of sand molds and cores for metal casting applications.
- CEO / Founder
- Hisatsugu Yajima
- Team Size
- 51-200
- Stage
- Active
- Key Investors
- ITOCHU Corporation (100% parent company)
Technology & Products
Key Products
Manufactures refractory raw materials, ceramic sand (Cerabeads®) for binder jetting 3D printing of sand molds and cores, and carbon-neutral related catalysts. Also offers Aeronite, a CO2 methanation catalyst.
Technological Advantage
Proprietary ceramic sand (Cerabeads®) that has been specifically optimized for use with ExOne's sand binder jetting 3D printers through a formal partnership and process optimization agreement.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Provides high-performance ceramic sand materials that enable precise, durable sand molds for metal casting via 3D printing, reducing traditional mold-making time and enabling complex geometries.
How They Differentiate
Focuses specifically on ceramic sand materials for binder jetting rather than complete printer systems; leverages traditional ceramics manufacturing expertise with modern AM optimization through formal partnerships.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Foundries, metal casting facilities, additive manufacturing service bureaus using sand binder jetting technology
Industry Verticals
Metal casting; Additive manufacturing; Steel manufacturing; Industrial manufacturing
Competitors
Höganäs (Digital Metal); voxeljet AG; ExOne (Desktop Metal)
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Annual revenue approximately ¥8.5 billion (fiscal year 2024)
Major Milestones
1960: Founded as NAIGAI REFRACTORY Co., Ltd.; 2000: Merged with ITOCHU CERAMICS Co., Ltd. and renamed to ITOCHU CERATECH CORPORATION; 2026: Commenced sales of cement and blast furnace slag