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Setup Performance

MaterialsFrontonas, FranceFounded 2006· One of 955 Materials companies tracked by AMPulse

A specialized manufacturer of high-performance polymer powders and materials for Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) additive manufacturing, developing and producing innovative plastic powders including polyamides and polypropylenes for industrial 3D printing applications.

CEO / Founder
Nicolas Naudin
Team Size
11-50
Stage
Defunct
Total Funding
$10M
Latest Round
Acquired

Technology & Products

Key Products

["Polyamide 6 (PA6) SLS powders","Polyamide 11 (PA11) powders","Polyamide 12 (PA12) powders","Polypropylene (PP) SLS powders","Custom SLS material formulations","Process optimization and technical support services"]

Technological Advantage

Deep process know-how in SLS material development combined with BASF's extensive polymer chemistry expertise creates comprehensive material solutions; integrated approach from powder formulation through application support enables optimized performance for specific industrial use cases.

Differentiation

Value Proposition

Provides advanced, tailor-made SLS powder formulations with optimized particle characteristics and process know-how, enabling reliable production of functional end-use parts with consistent mechanical properties for demanding industrial applications.

How They Differentiate

Specialized SLS powder manufacturing expertise serving as Advanc3D Materials' most important development and manufacturing partner; deep process know-how in polymer powder formulation combined with BASF's extensive polymer chemistry expertise; integrated approach from powder development through technical application support

Market & Competition

Target Customers

Industrial manufacturers, 3D printing service bureaus, automotive and aerospace companies requiring high-performance polymer materials for additive manufacturing production

Industry Verticals

["Automotive","Aerospace","Industrial Manufacturing","Healthcare/Medical Devices","Consumer Goods","Additive Manufacturing Services"]

Competitors

EOS GmbH; Evonik Industries AG; Arkema SA

Growth & Milestones

Growth Metrics

Operated as independent company from 2006-2018; integrated into BASF Forward AM; generated €3.49M revenue in 2024 before closure

Major Milestones

["Founded in 2006 as specialized SLS powder manufacturer","Became Advanc3D Materials' most important manufacturing and development partner","Acquired by BASF New Business GmbH in July 2018","Integrated into BASF 3D Printing Solutions GmbH (Forward AM)","Technology contributed to BASF Ultrasint® product portfolio","Frontonas facility closed March 2025 as part of BASF strategic restructuring"]

Notable Customers

Industrial manufacturers; 3D printing service bureaus; Automotive companies; Aerospace sector clients

Why this company matters

Setup Performance was a specialized manufacturer of high-performance polymer powders for selective laser sintering (SLS), developing polyamide and polypropylene formulations for industrial additive manufacturing. Founded in 2006 in Frontonas, France, the company built its reputation on proprietary powder production processes that delivered consistent particle size distribution and flow characteristics, enabling reliable end-use part production.

The company served as Advanc3D Materials' most important development and manufacturing partner before both were acquired by BASF New Business GmbH in July 2018. Following the acquisition, Setup Performance's technology was integrated into BASF's Forward AM portfolio under the Ultrasint® material line. Its product range included PA6, PA11, PA12, and polypropylene SLS powders, as well as custom formulations and process optimization services.

Setup Performance targeted industrial manufacturers, 3D printing service bureaus, and automotive and aerospace companies requiring high-performance polymer materials. It collaborated with HP on polypropylene materials for Jet Fusion printers and maintained distribution partnerships with Advanced Laser Materials and EOS. The company generated €3.49 million in revenue in 2024 before BASF closed the Frontonas facility in March 2025 as part of a strategic restructuring.

The closure removes a specialized independent SLS powder development capability from the market, consolidating BASF's Forward AM material R&D. Competitors including EOS, Evonik, and Arkema continue to supply the industrial SLS powder segment, which remains dependent on consistent, application-tuned formulations for production-grade parts.