FABULOUS is an expert company in polymeric 3D printing materials. The company brings innovation to a market now focused on production by developing materials that meet the application needs of end users. Their flagship materials are dedicated to Food & pharmaceutical industries.
Interview with Arnault Coulet, CEO & Co-Founder of FABULOUS.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Arnault Coulet: 2 main activities:
Material development & market for powder bed fusion processes, such as polyamide, polypropylene, elastomers, and also bio-sourced polymers.
Research & development services for partners such as chemists or OEM’s in order, for example, to qualify additive manufacturing processes for series application or to develop customer specific materials or specific industrial applications.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
A.C: Our food-safe materials dedicated to Food & pharmaceutical industries (BLUECARE and DETECT) have passed full certifications for food contact in EU (10/2011) and now in USA (FDA CFR 21). BLUECARE is based on bio-sourced polymer with blue color in the mass which allows optical detection on the food line productions (safety blue). DETECT got an additional functionality because it’s also metal detectable (X-ray detection) which is also used on food lines.
We are also developing new polymer materials, on the one hand for medical sector, on the other hand for railway industry. Both of these developments need specific functionalities and certifications. Thanks to the development of our first patented materials, we now have an excellent know-how to accelerate materials innovation.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
A.C: Please find below our powder range available on the market:
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
A.C: Fabulous is positioned on the market for technical powders for additive manufacturing: the global market for additive manufacturing powders is estimated at 4,000 tons/year and $1 billion (see Wholers report 2022).
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
A.C: 3d printing powder market is evaluated +25% CAGR growth, and this market is in the way of democratization with new 3d printers more and more user-friendly.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
A.C: We are going to start working on new materials polymer-ceramics composites. Ceramics 3d printing is a new growing application sector we want to focus on.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2022?
A.C: We do not communicate about our financial forecasts.
