ADDiTEC Acquires Xerox Elem Additive: Securing the Future of Liquid Metal 3D Printing Innovation

The landscape of the 3D printing industry has been exceptionally dynamic and, at times, tumultuous throughout the current year. We’ve witnessed a flurry of strategic maneuvers, including continuous discussions surrounding potential mergers and acquisitions that have kept market observers on edge. A prime example of this ongoing uncertainty has been the highly publicized saga involving Stratasys. This leading additive manufacturing company found itself at the center of a bidding war, with multiple prominent players – including Desktop Metal, Nano Dimension (which has since officially withdrawn its bid), and 3D Systems – all vying for a merger or acquisition. These events underscore a period of significant consolidation and strategic realignment within the industry, as companies seek to strengthen their positions, expand their technological portfolios, and navigate an increasingly competitive market.

Amidst this backdrop of change, another notable development unfolded with Xerox. After making what was initially hailed as a triumphant entry into the 3D printing market in 2019, the tech giant quietly began winding down its additive manufacturing operations earlier this year. This move left many questioning the fate of Xerox’s innovative 3D printing capabilities and, in particular, its unique Liquid Metal Printing (LMP) technology. The mystery surrounding the future of Xerox’s Elem Additive Manufacturing division has now been officially unraveled. Xerox recently announced the strategic sale of Elem Additive Manufacturing to ADDiTEC, a leading manufacturer of metal 3D printing solutions. This acquisition marks a significant turning point for Xerox’s pioneering technology and signals a new chapter for liquid metal additive manufacturing under ADDiTEC’s stewardship.

From the moment Xerox announced its foray into additive manufacturing, it captured considerable attention and made a distinct impact on the industry. The cornerstone of its offering was its patented metal 3D printing technology, known as Liquid Metal Printing (LMP). What set LMP apart from existing metal AM processes was its groundbreaking approach: it directly utilized a liquid metal feedstock. Unlike traditional powder-based systems that involve delicate handling and potential safety concerns, LMP operates by heating a metal wire to its molten state. This liquid metal is then jetted as precise droplets onto a build plate, in a process conceptually similar to material jetting. This method offered several exceptional advantages. Firstly, it enabled the creation of metal parts with intriguing properties and high material density, opening up new possibilities for various applications. Secondly, and critically, it largely eliminated the safety hazards and extensive post-processing traditionally associated with the handling of fine metal powders, making the process cleaner, safer, and potentially more accessible. As the pioneering and leading provider of liquid metal additive manufacturing solutions at the time, Xerox’s ElemX printer quickly gained traction among major industry players. Notable examples of its adoption include the deployment of an ElemX metal 3D printer on a naval ship, the U.S.S. Essex, demonstrating its robustness and utility in demanding environments. Furthermore, Xerox engaged in collaborative projects with esteemed organizations such as Siemens, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and the Rochester Institute of Technology, further validating the technology’s potential and advancing its application in diverse sectors.

The ElemX, developed by Xerox, utilizes innovative Liquid Metal Printing (LMP) technology (photo credits: Xerox)

Despite the initial success and significant technological advancements, rumors began circulating late last year regarding the potential closure of Xerox’s additive manufacturing branch. These speculations were later confirmed by the company, which announced its decision to cease further advancements in additive manufacturing and instead focus on maintaining connections solely for printers already sold. The strategic pivot was driven by Xerox’s overarching goal to refocus its corporate priorities on its core offerings, which traditionally include printing, digital services, and document management solutions. While this news initially caused disappointment within the AM community, it underscores the challenging economic and strategic considerations that major corporations face when diversifying into nascent industries. Therefore, the recent announcement of the sale of Elem Additive Solutions to ADDiTEC comes as a profound breath of fresh air for the entire additive manufacturing industry. This acquisition ensures the vital continuation and further development of Xerox’s unique Liquid Metal Printing technology, preventing it from fading into obscurity and allowing its innovative potential to be realized under a dedicated additive manufacturing specialist. It signifies a promising future for a technology that holds immense promise for various industrial applications.

Providing further insight into this pivotal transaction, Steve Bandrowczak, the CEO at Xerox, emphasized the success achieved by the Elem Additive team. “The Elem Additive team has seen tremendous success since the organization was stood up nearly four years ago,” Bandrowczak stated. He further highlighted the critical criteria for choosing the right partner in this sale: “In evaluating partners for this sale, it was critical we found a company with a shared mission that would sustain and advance Elem Additive’s innovation into the future. We are confident that ADDiTEC is the right partner and look forward to witnessing both teams’ shared success on the road ahead.” This statement underlines Xerox’s commitment not just to divest, but to ensure that its pioneering technology would continue to thrive and contribute to the evolution of additive manufacturing. The strategic alignment with ADDiTEC appears to be a crucial factor in this decision, promising a bright future for the LMP technology and its applications.

Elem Additive Becomes a Cornerstone of ADDiTEC’s Advanced Metal AM Portfolio

As previously mentioned, for those who may not be intimately familiar with the company, ADDiTEC stands as a recognized leader in the realm of metal additive manufacturing. Their existing portfolio primarily focuses on advanced Directed Energy Deposition (DED) robotic solutions, catering to the challenges of large-scale metal component production. The acquisition of Elem Additive Solutions, according to ADDiTEC, represents a significant strategic move designed to extend and diversify its already robust technology portfolio. Indeed, the Liquid Metal Printing (LMP) technology itself was identified as a major draw, offering a unique and complementary approach to metal 3D printing that will allow ADDiTEC to significantly expand and strengthen its existing capabilities. This integration opens up entirely new avenues for growth and innovation within the company.

ADDiTEC was founded with a clear mission: to overcome the inherent obstacles associated with large-scale additive manufacturing of metal components, particularly through its sophisticated DED robotic solutions. The synergy between ADDiTEC’s existing expertise in DED and the newly acquired LMP technology from Xerox is compelling. DED excels in building and repairing large-format metal parts, often by melting wire or powder feedstock with a laser or electron beam, offering high deposition rates and the ability to work with a wide range of materials. LMP, on the other hand, provides a unique advantage in producing dense, high-resolution metal parts without the complexities of powder management, making it ideal for specific applications requiring superior surface finish and material properties in a cleaner operational environment. The combination of these two distinct yet complementary technologies positions ADDiTEC as a more comprehensive provider of metal AM solutions, capable of addressing an even broader spectrum of industrial needs.

ADDiTEC focuses on large format metal additive manufacturing and now integrates LMP technology (photo credits: ADDiTEC)

Furthermore, LMP has been specifically identified as an ideal technology for enhancing supply chain resiliency, particularly in demanding markets such as transportation, aerospace, defense, and industrial manufacturing. These are precisely the sectors that ADDiTEC actively targets with its current offerings. The ability of LMP to produce complex metal parts quickly and reliably, often on-demand and closer to the point of use, significantly reduces lead times and logistics costs, which are critical factors in maintaining robust supply chains. By integrating LMP, ADDiTEC can now offer its clients an even more diverse array of solutions for rapidly prototyping, tooling, and producing end-use parts, further solidifying its position as an innovative leader in industrial metal additive manufacturing. This strategic alignment promises not only to benefit ADDiTEC’s growth but also to accelerate the broader adoption of advanced metal 3D printing technologies across crucial industrial sectors globally.

Brian Matthews, a key figure in ADDiTEC, further elaborated on the company’s enthusiasm and vision for the acquisition. He concluded, “We’re very excited to have completed the acquisition of Elem Additive Solutions. This acquisition is a significant step for our company; we see incredible value in liquid metal print technology, and Elem Additive’s success supplements our growth efforts as we continue to develop new offerings and bring to market our turnkey metal additive manufacturing systems. We are delighted to have acquired Elem Additive Solutions and will strive to create further innovative services and solutions for our customers with the addition of this exciting liquid metal printing technology.” This statement clearly outlines ADDiTEC’s commitment to not only preserving but also advancing the unique capabilities of LMP technology. The integration of Elem Additive is expected to bolster ADDiTEC’s ability to deliver comprehensive, turnkey metal additive manufacturing systems, enhancing their competitive edge and expanding their reach into new applications and markets. The potential for creating innovative services and solutions leveraging the strengths of both DED and LMP technologies is immense, promising a future where ADDiTEC can address an even wider range of industrial challenges with unparalleled efficiency and precision. This strategic acquisition represents a powerful consolidation of expertise and technology, setting the stage for significant advancements in the metal AM sector. You can find out more details in the official press release HERE.

What do you think of Xerox’s sale of Elem Additive Solutions to ADDiTEC? How do you envision this acquisition shaping the future of liquid metal 3D printing and the broader metal additive manufacturing industry? Let us know your thoughts and insights in a comment below or join the discussion on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, ensuring you receive the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our comprehensive videos and industry interviews on our YouTube channel for deeper insights into the world of additive manufacturing.