Mitsui Chemicals to Acquire Shares of US 3D Printer Manufacturer B9Creations

Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (Tokyo: 4183; President & CEO: Tsutomu Tannowa) today announced that it plans to strengthen its dental materials business by acquiring 30.74% of shares in B9Creations, LLC (Founder & CTO: Michael Joyce), a 3D printer manufacturer based in the U.S. state of South Dakota.

As part of its Health Care Business Sector, one of the company's three growth areas, Mitsui Chemicals has been developing its dental materials business around Kulzer GmbH, Sun Medical Co., Ltd. and DENTCA, Inc. With digitalization moving forward also in the field of dentistry, the adoption of 3D printers is increasing across dental laboratories.

Kulzer partnered in 2016 with B9Creations, whose flagship products are 3D printers for the jewelry market, to jointly develop a 3D printer for dental experts, with sales launching in July 2017.

Now with the decision to invest in B9Creations, Mitsui Chemicals will strengthen its relationship with the company and accelerate materials development through B9Creations’ 3D printing technology and Mitsui Chemicals’ inks, capitalizing on the polymeric materials, synthesis technology and knowledge cultivated to date by this company. In doing so, Mitsui Chemicals aims to facilitate the development of new products and increase sales of its dental materials.

Mitsui Chemicals will continue to expand and strengthen its dental materials business globally, serving to improve the productivity of dentists and dental laboratories around the world along with people’s quality of life.

Overview of B9Creations (following investment by Mitsui Chemicals)