One of the most promising FFF desktop 3D printer manufacturers in Spain has filed for bankruptcy. Founded in 2011 as a project within the Fundació CIM, a technological center affiliated with the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), the company became a standalone company in 2019. The company’s visibility increased when it gave life to Supernova, which focuses today on expanding the commercial availability of Viscous Lithography Manufacturing (VLM) as an independent company.
The news, first issued by Barcelona-based media outlet Crónica Global, comes as a surprise when we know that just six months ago, BCN3D raised money. In total, the company would have secured €10 million from private investors and €7 million in public grants.
There is no certainty regarding what happened.
From a technology standpoint, we can’t ignore the growing competition from Asian manufacturers. While BCN3D’s machines may stand out in certain areas, Asian manufacturers’ high-performance equipment at significantly lower prices are just the winning solution for many companies’ needs.
Read more: The “fall and rise” of desktop 3D printing
That said, the BCN3D chapter is just a reminder of the number of companies facing financial challenges in the AM industry:
In recent months, machine manufacturer Desktop Metal began a strategic review following its acquisition by Nano Dimension. The decision came on the heels of ongoing financial struggles, during which CEO Ric Fulop warned that without the Nano Dimension deal, the company faced a “fatal prognosis.” As part of this process, the binder jetting specialist added Robert Warshauer to its Board of Directors and brought in financial advisers from Piper Sandler & Co. and consultancy firm FTI Consulting.
On another note, after Forward AM filed for bankruptcy, the leadership team has been able to give another chapter to the company through an acquisition by Stratasys.
Hopefully, the story isn’t over yet—we might soon be announcing another acquisition in the industry. At least, that’s what I’m hoping the next chapter will bring.
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