ViscoTec
Manufactures precision 3D print heads and volumetric dispensing systems based on proprietary endless piston principle technology for 3D printing of viscous liquids, pastes, and bioinks (ceramics, silicones, polyurethanes, epoxy resins) in additive manufacturing and bioprinting applications.
- CEO / Founder
- Franz Kamhuber
- Team Size
- 201-500
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- Bootstrapped
- Latest Round
- Bootstrapped
Technology & Products
Key Products
vipro-HEAD series (1C and 2C 3D print heads for viscous fluids and pastes); vipro-PUMP dosing pumps for high-viscosity materials; vipro-DUOMIX 2-component dispensing systems; Puredyne print heads with single-use cartridges for bioprinting; Medical grade print head variants; Custom dispensing system solutions
Technological Advantage
Endless piston principle is patented, trade-secret protected technology with 27+ years of field validation (since 1997). Creates defensible moat through: (1) Superior material compatibility across 1C and 2C viscous pastes; (2) Precision ±0.5% repeatability vs. ~±2% for alternative dispensing methods; (3) Structural integrity preservation with <0.1 Pa·s shear stress vs. >10 Pa·s for extrusion methods; (4) Fast integration with common 3D printer firmware and slicer software. Bioprinting applications represent emerging high-margin segment with strong growth (20%+ YoY) in regenerative medicine market.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Enables 3D printing of previously unusable high-viscosity materials (up to 7,000,000 mPas) with exceptional precision, low shear forces, and repeatability through proprietary endless piston principle; Puredyne bioprinting heads achieve superior cell viability and gentle material handling for regenerative medicine applications; volumetric dosing eliminates air incorporation and reduces material waste by up to 40% vs. conventional methods.
How They Differentiate
ViscoTec uniquely combines (1) highest viscosity material capability (7M mPas vs. competitors' typical 100-500K mPas); (2) dedicated bioprinting brand (Puredyne) with medical-grade certification vs. industrial-only focus of Scheugenpflug/GEW; (3) low-shear technology preserving cell viability in bioprinting (critical for regenerative medicine) vs. traditional extrusion-based competitors. Volumetric dispensing eliminates air incorporation—critical differentiator vs. screw-based dispensing systems used by some competitors.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in 3D printing, bioprinting research institutions, aerospace/defense suppliers, medical device manufacturers, electronics assembly, pharmaceuticals
Industry Verticals
Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing; Bioprinting / Regenerative Medicine; Aerospace & Defense; Medical Device Manufacturing; Electronics Manufacturing; Automotive & E-mobility; Pharmaceuticals; Food Processing
Competitors
Scheugenpflug (adhesive bonding/dispensing systems; operates under Atlas Copco subsidiary; 200+ customers in automotive/aerospace; competing directly on industrial dispensing, lacks bioprinting focus); Phoseon (UV-LED curing technology; adjacent to 3D printing supply chain; not direct 3D viscous material competitor); GEW (dispensing equipment; broad industrial focus; less specialized in ultra-high-viscosity materials)
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Global revenue €70M in 2023; ~360 employees worldwide (2023); offices/subsidiaries in 9 countries (Germany, USA, China, Singapore, India, France, Hong Kong, Denmark, Nordic region); 25+ year operational history with continuous geographic expansion
Major Milestones
1997: Founded as spinoff from Resch Maschinenbau GmbH; initial focus on food/pharma industry pumping; 2000-2010: Launched preeflow by ViscoTec brand, expanded to 100,000+ units sold cumulatively; 2021: Launched Puredyne brand for bioprinting; appointed Franz Kamhuber as CEO (age 32, first generational leadership transition); 2023: Acquired/merged with Scanmaster (now ViscoTec Nordic); achieved €70M global revenue; 2024: Expanded medical grade print head portfolio; Korbinian Scheitzach appointed CEO of ViscoTec America
Notable Customers
Chromatic 3D Materials GmbH; Craft Health Private Limited; Lynxter; 3Deus Dynamics; Healshape; Humabiologics; Carbon 3D; rapid product manufacturing GmbH (rpm); Baumann Maschinenbau Solms GmbH & Co. KG