MaterialsElgin, Illinois, USAFounded 1989· One of 961 Materials companies tracked by AMPulse
Develops high-performance photopolymer resins for stereolithography (SL) and vat photopolymerization (VPP) 3D printing applications.
CEO / Founder
Somos is now a brand within Stratasys Ltd. (CEO: Dr. Yoav Zeif)
Team Size
1001-5000
Stage
Active
Total Funding
$46.0M
Latest Round
Acquired
Key Investors
Stratasys; Covestro; DSM; DuPont
Technology & Products
Key Products
High-performance photopolymer resins for stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing, including Somos PerFORM, Somos NeXt, Somos 9120, Somos WaterShed AF, Somos EvoLVe 128, and Somos TetraShell software.
Technological Advantage
Market leader in photopolymers with over 30 years of experience in photo-reactive chemistries; proprietary composite resins like PerFORM HW enable production-grade additive manufacturing.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Reduces lead times and improves part quality in industrial prototyping and investment casting through high-performance photopolymers that offer dimensional stability and high-heat resistance.
How They Differentiate
Offers high-performance composite resins (PerFORM) and antimony-free casting resins (Element) with superior surface finish and low ash, backed by 30+ years of photopolymer expertise.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
3D printing community for prototyping, production, and investment casting.
Decades of experience in photo-reactive chemistries; market leader in photopolymers.
Major Milestones
1989: Launched by DuPont as Somos 1000 Solid Imaging System; 1999: Acquired by DSM; 2006: Introduced NanoTool and ProtoCast AF 19120; 2020: Partnered with Origin for PerFORM HW development
Notable Customers
Toyota; Ford; Trek Bicycle; Align Technology; Penske Racing
Somos is a photopolymer resin brand within Stratasys's materials portfolio, focused on stereolithography (SLA) and vat photopolymerization (VPP). Founded by DuPont in 1989, it was acquired by DSM in 1999 and later became part of Stratasys through the acquisition of Covestro's additive manufacturing materials business in April 2023. The brand targets applications requiring dimensional stability, high heat resistance, and low ash content for investment casting.
The core product line includes high-performance photopolymers such as Somos PerFORM, a nanoparticle-filled composite resin for production-grade parts; Somos NeXt for tough, durable prototypes; Somos WaterShed AF for clear, water-resistant parts; and antimony-free casting resins like Somos Element. Somos TetraShell software supports shell creation for casting workflows. The company claims over 30 years of experience in photo-reactive chemistries and holds a historical patent portfolio, though it has been involved in patent litigation with 3D Systems.
Customers include Toyota, Ford, Trek Bicycle, Align Technology, and Penske Racing, using Somos resins for industrial prototyping, manufacturing aids, and investment casting patterns. The resins compete with offerings from 3D Systems, Denka Kogyo, and JSR Corp. Somos differentiates through proprietary composite formulations like PerFORM HW, developed in partnership with Origin, which enable production-grade additive manufacturing with superior surface finish and mechanical properties.
A strategic moat lies in Somos's long-standing photopolymer expertise and integration into Stratasys's broader ecosystem, which provides distribution and R&D support. However, the brand faces competitive pressure from newer photopolymer developers and the shift toward open-material platforms in SLA printing. The open question is whether Somos can maintain its leadership as the SLA resin market commoditizes and as Stratasys prioritizes its own proprietary printer-material bundles.
Competitive Intelligence
Competitors, SWOT analysis, and investment insights