Oerlikon Realigns AM Business, Consolidates Production in US

Oerlikon is planning to strategically realign its additive manufacturing (AM) business and consolidate its AM production in the U.S. as the largest growth market for this new technology. The move is also a response to the current adverse market conditions for AM in Germany that limit growth opportunities.

The company says that focusing AM production in Huntersville, North Carolina, brings the business closer to the U.S. growth sectors, such as semiconductor, and also enables the business to benefit from the more conducive U.S. framework conditions and higher market acceptance for disruptive technologies. In the future, European and other international customers are planned to be served from the U.S.

In close coordination with existing customers, the current production at Barleben and Shanghai are planned to be relocated in 2024. The R&D site in Garching, Germany, will focus on developing new advanced materials, surface coating technologies and digitalization.

AM is a business of Oerlikon’s Surface Solutions division. The business was founded as a startup to develop and produce novel 3D applications for sectors such as aerospace and semiconductor.

Oerlikon concentrates on a global innovation for surface engineering, polymer processing and additive manufacturing. The company’s solutions and comprehensive services, together with its advanced materials, empower customers by improving and maximizing the performance, function, design and sustainability of customers’ products and manufacturing processes in key industries. Headquartered in Pfaeffikon, Switzerland, the group operates its business in two divisions – Surface Solutions and Polymer Processing Solutions. It has a global footprint of more than 13 ,000 employees at 205 locations in 37 countries.