Recreus

Recreus is a Spanish company that operates in the additive manufacturing materials market, specializing in the development and production of flexible thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filaments for Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing. The company was established in 2013 by Ignacio García, an industrial engineer, who identified a market gap for elastic materials in a sector dominated by rigid plastics like PLA and ABS. García's journey began in his parents' garage in 2010, where he set out to develop a flexible material after being inspired at the Euromold fair in Germany. This led to the creation of Filaflex in 2013, the company's flagship product and reportedly the first elastic filament for 3D printers. The brand name Recreus is derived from the philosophy of (RE)cycle, (CRE)ate, and (US)e, reflecting a commitment to sustainability.

The company's business model centers on the sale of these specialized filaments directly to consumers and businesses through its online store and a network of distributors. It targets a wide range of clients, from individual makers to industrial sectors like footwear, fashion, healthcare, automotive, and defense. Revenue is generated from the sale of its products, which are manufactured in Elda, Spain. A significant milestone was the strategic investment from Repsol Corporate Venturing in 2019, where the energy multinational acquired a 17% stake to accelerate research and development of new materials.

Recreus's core product, Filaflex, is a line of TPU-based filaments known for high elasticity, durability, and resistance to solvents. The product family has expanded to include a wide range of shore hardness levels, from the ultra-soft 60A to the semi-rigid 95A, catering to different application needs. One notable product is Filaflex Foamy, which incorporates a foaming agent that activates at high temperatures to reduce part weight and density. The company also champions sustainability through products like Reciflex, a filament made from 100% recycled waste from the footwear industry and its own production. This focus on material science allows clients to produce a variety of items, including footwear, medical prosthetics, drone parts, and protective gear.

Keywords: flexible 3D printing filament, TPU filament, Filaflex, additive manufacturing materials, industrial 3D printing, elastic filament, sustainable filament, FDM materials, recycled TPU, specialty polymers, custom orthopedics, wearable technology, advanced manufacturing, material science, polymer development, direct-drive extruders, shore hardness, chemical resistant filament, non-toxic filament, skin-safe materials