Adaptive3D

Adaptive3D operates as a premium supplier of photopolymer resins tailored for additive manufacturing, targeting high-volume production applications. The company was founded in Dallas, Texas, in 2014 by Dr. Walter Voit, a serial entrepreneur and an associate professor of materials science and engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Voit's extensive background in thermomechanics of shape memory polymers, flexible bioelectronics, and 3D printing directly informed the company's trajectory. His academic and research endeavors, including work with DARPA and as a recipient of a National Science Foundation grant, laid the groundwork for Adaptive3D's core chemistries.

The firm focuses on developing and supplying high-performance polymer resins, particularly rubber-like, tear-resistant, and biocompatible materials. Its product portfolio is designed to overcome the material limitations that have historically confined additive manufacturing to prototyping, enabling the production of functional end-use parts. Key offerings include the Elastic ToughRubber™ and Soft ToughRubber™ series, which are engineered for durability, high-strain tolerance, and are suitable for diverse applications. The business model centers on partnering with global leaders across various sectors—including healthcare, industrial, transportation, and oil and gas—to provide customized material solutions for end-use products. By selling these specialized resins, Adaptive3D facilitates mass production for its clients, which have included Fortune 500 companies like Halliburton and Honeywell.

A significant milestone in the company's history was its acquisition by Desktop Metal, Inc. in May 2021 for approximately $64.5 million. This strategic acquisition integrated Adaptive3D's advanced elastomer capabilities into Desktop Metal's portfolio, aiming to accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing for high-volume elastomeric parts. Following the acquisition, Adaptive3D continues to operate as a wholly owned subsidiary, with Dr. Voit remaining as its leader. The deal highlighted the value of Adaptive3D's intellectual property, which was licensed from both Georgia Tech and the University of Texas at Dallas, and had previously attracted Series B investment from major materials companies like Arkema and Royal DSM. Keywords: additive manufacturing resins, photopolymer elastomers, 3D printing materials, high-volume additive manufacturing, elastomeric solutions, flexible photopolymers, rubber-like materials, specialty polymers, Walter Voit, Desktop Metal acquisition, DARPA-funded research, NSF grant recipient, industrial 3D printing, tear-resistant resins, biocompatible polymers, Elastic ToughRubber, Soft ToughRubber, polymer science, materials engineering, advanced manufacturing