Resin distribution firm M. Holland Co. has been named the exclusive distributor of polypropylene filament for 3D printing made by Braskem.
In a May 21 news release, officials with M. Holland in Northbrook, Ill., said that the material features a proprietary formula that allows for high stability, low warpage and consistent extrusion.
They added that the agreement will allow M. Holland to better support clients in creating prototypes and developing other applications.
"There is an increasing need in the additive manufacturing market for printable polypropylene material with high chemical resistance and hydrophobic properties," officials said.
PP hasn't often been used in the prototyping or production of 3D printed parts because of high failure rates, according to M. Holland. Braskem's unique PP formula is highly stable with low warpage, excellent bed adhesion and consistent extrusion, which makes it ideal for prototyping, officials said.
After trial testing Braskem's PP materials, additive manufacturing engineers at M. Holland demonstrated repeatable and dimensionally accurate outcomes. The PP generated clean surfaces and excellent layer adhesion, along with reduced stringing and improved surface performance in support material.
"Our partnership to distribute Braskem's 3D printing polypropylene products will enable our clients to finally use genuinely 3D printable and easy-to-use polypropylene, opening up a world of applications," 3D printing market manager Haleyanne Freedman said in the release.
Braskem North America new ventures and digital director Jason Vagnozzi added that M. Holland's technical knowledge and relationships within the 3D printing industry "will help us demonstrate the superior results of this material in a complex market space."
M. Holland ranks as one of North America's largest resin distributors, selling more than $1 billion of materials to more than 4,000 customers annually.
Braskem, based in São Paulo with North American headquarters in Philadelphia, is a major resin producer and one of North America's largest PP makers. The firm employs almost 8,000 worldwide and posted sales of $13.2 billion in 2019.