In response to rising global demand for 3D printers, 3D Systems (Rock Hill, South Carolina / USA; www.3dsystems.com) has commissioned a new 2,800 m² production hall in Barberton, Ohio / USA, where it will manufacture 3D printer filament materials and extrude plastics. The company did not disclose the investment cost.

The new facility will also allow the company to engage deeper in R&D. Two recently launched materials will be produced in Barberton. They include the “Ekocycle Cube” filament made of rPET as well as the “CubePro” engineering-grade PA filament.

Global demand for 3D printers and related materials, including plastics, is expected to rise by 21% annually to USD 5 bn in 2017, a recent report by Freedonia (Cleveland, Ohio / USA; www.freedonia.com) has found – for details, see Plasteurope.com of 10.01.2014.