Structured Polymers

Structured Polymers operated as a materials science company with a sharp focus on the additive manufacturing sector, specifically in the development of specialty polymer powders. The company was established in 2012 in Austin, Texas, by Dr. Vikram Devarajan and Dr. James Mikulak. A pivotal figure in the company's technical leadership was Dr. Carl Deckard, the inventor of the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) process, who served as CTO.

The firm's core business revolved around its patented technology for converting polymer granulates into fine powders suitable for various powder-based 3D printing processes, including SLS, high-speed sintering, and multi-jet fusion. This proprietary process allowed for the production of polymer powders with precisely controlled particle sizes, ranging from 0.1 to 400 micrometers, which resulted in excellent material properties in the final printed parts. A key benefit of this technology is its versatility, enabling the use of a wide array of semi-crystalline thermoplastics like polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and polyamide 6 (PA6). Furthermore, the process could incorporate specialized properties into the powders, such as color, conductivity, or flame retardancy.

The company successfully commercialized new polymer powders and catered to the growing industrial 3D printing market. Its business model involved developing and supplying these advanced materials to users of industrial 3D printing technologies. After an initial seed funding round of $1.5 million in 2014, the company attracted a venture capital investment from Evonik in the fall of 2017. This strategic investment culminated in the full acquisition of Structured Polymers by Evonik in January 2019. Following the acquisition, Structured Polymers was integrated into Evonik's North American organization but continued its operations in Austin, Texas. In 2020, Evonik further invested in these operations by opening a new Center for Structured Polymers Technology in Austin to continue the development of new materials for powder bed fusion 3D printing.

Keywords: additive manufacturing materials, polymer powder, 3D printing powder, selective laser sintering, SLS materials, high-speed sintering, multi-jet fusion, polymer science, materials development, thermoplastic powders, PEEK, PA6, PBT, copolyester, Evonik, materials technology, powder bed fusion, advanced materials, Vikram Devarajan, Carl Deckard