RHEON
Highly strain-rate sensitive thermoplastic elastomer designed for extrusion-based FDM 3D printing, providing advanced energy control and impact absorption for industrial applications.
- CEO / Founder
- Stephen Bates
- Team Size
- 37
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- ~$24.7M (£15.1M+)
- Latest Round
- Series A
- Key Investors
- GrowthInvest; LGB & Co; Innovate UK; CITY PARTNERSHIP NOMINEE; Enterprise Hub - Royal Academy of Engineering
Technology & Products
Key Products
RHEON™ thermoplastic elastomer (pellets for FDM printing)
Technological Advantage
Proprietary RHEON Cells auxetic architecture (negative Poisson's ratio) outperforms traditional foam in impact absorption; FDM-printable in standard TPE filament form; 80+ patent filings across 8 generations of IP protection; energy-controlling cell designs registered separately per commercial partner
Differentiation
Value Proposition
RHEON Cells geometry enables 3D-printed impact protection that is both lighter and more effective than foam, with the ability to be customized for any body contour or product form factor
How They Differentiate
RHEON Cells auxetic geometry provides strain-rate sensitivity — soft under normal conditions, instantly stiffens on impact; 3D printable via FDM enabling custom fit and complex geometries impossible with foam
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Industrial manufacturers and product designers requiring advanced material properties in 3D-printed components
Industry Verticals
Sportswear & Athletic Gear; Protective Equipment & Safety; Defence & Military; Automotive Interior Padding
Competitors
D3O (UK); Skydex (USA); Poron XRD (Rogers Corporation)
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
~37 employees (PitchBook 2025); 80+ patent filings, ~50 trademarks, 14 registered designs across multiple countries; NFL Helmet Challenge 2021 winner; 8 generations of patent filings
Major Milestones
Founded 2017 in London, UK; developed RHEON Cells auxetic TPE material for impact protection; £7M Series A July 2019; £4M follow-on equity December 2020; £4.1M Series A March 2021; NFL Helmet Challenge 2021 winner; customers include adidas, Decathlon, Ruroc, Milwaukee Tool, Xenith, FLY Racing; 80+ patent filings globally; Innovate UK NICER Programme 2023
Notable Customers
adidas; Decathlon; Ruroc; Milwaukee Tool; Xenith; FLY Racing