Armor Group Begins 3D Production in U.S.

French manufacturer Armor Group and its brand Kimya are expanding into the North American market for 3D materials production through its existing subsidiary, Armor USA, located in Hebron, Kentucky, just outside Cincinnati.

According to the company, Armor Group has had a positive start to its additive manufacturing business in France and the whole of Europe, with expertise in high-performance 3D filaments.

In 2018, Armor Group launched the design and production of 3D materials for industrial and technology companies through Kimya, offering a full, 360-degree solution for additive manufacturing. Research and design of customized materials take place at the Kimya Lab. The production of these custom and added-value 3D materials occurs at Kimya Materials, while at the Kimya Factory, the Kimya team utilizes material know-how and additive processes in the production of finished parts.

Armor first expanded into the U.S. in 1991 by starting its first subsidiary in order to develop its Thermal Transfer Ribbons activity. From an initial space of 11,000 square feet, Armor USA has acquired its entire current building of 81,000 square feet and, in 2020, recently expanded into another 30,000 square feet, creating 50% more space for new technical laboratories, a customer experience center, a training center and the space for the Kimya offering.

“This is the first time that our transformation process of semi-finished products into 3D filaments has set foot outside of France,” says Pierre-Antoine Pluvinage, business development director of Kimya - additive manufacturing by Armor. “The United States is the world’s largest market for additive manufacturing and, since Armor Group already has facilities there, it seems only natural for us to start production there.”