Blesol Tech is emerging as a notable European supplier of metal and ceramic feedstocks for Metal Injection Moulding, Ceramic Injection Moulding, and sinter-based Additive Manufacturing. Based in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, and led by Dr Gemma Herranz and Dr Cristina Berges, the company brings together academic expertise and industrial-scale production. As this article outlines, its close collaboration with MIM and CIM producers offers clear insight into shifting market requirements, informing the development of tailored materials and adaptable feedstock solutions.
... Read more »
Recent advances in water-debindable feedstocks are redefining what is possible in Ceramic Injection Moulding (CIM). By combining hydrophilic backbone chemistries with optimised surfactants and plasticisers, these formulations enable faster, safer debinding without compromising performance. This article presents comparative data demonstrating improved flow, reduced thermal load, and successful processing of parts beyond 10 mm wall thickness. Drawing on developments at KRAHN Ceramics GmbH, Dr Thorsten Ohlerth examines kinetics, moulding behaviour, and sintering outcomes that signal a shift towards more sustainable CIM production.
... Read more »
There is a beauty in ceramics that has captivated us for thousands of years. Today, Additive Manufacturing (AM) is giving this material class renewed appeal by enabling the creation of forms previously impossible to produce, while preserving the mechanical, aesthetic and tactile qualities that make ceramics so valued. A new award-winning Hi-Fi turntable cartridge – developed by HiFiction AG and Steinbach AG using Lithoz GmbH’s AM technology – showcases not only design innovation but also how AM eliminates tooling barriers, making advanced technical ceramics more accessible to smaller businesses.
... Read more »
Held in Costa Mesa, California, the MIM2025 conference marked a significant moment for the Powder Injection Moulding community – not only for its technical programme and strong industry participation, but for a special symposium dedicated to honouring Prof Randall M German’s six-decade career. The tribute brought together former students, collaborators, and leading global experts to reflect on his scientific legacy and personal influence. Dr Animesh Bose reports from the event, highlighting Prof German’s unparalleled role in the rise of PIM.
... Read more »
MIM2024, the International Conference on Injection Molding of Metals, Ceramics, and Carbides, was held in Raleigh, North Carolina, from February 26 to 28, 2024. Attended by more than a hundred delegates from ten countries, this latest event in the well-established series was deemed to be an innovative success. This year was – to the relief of both attendees and the Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF) – an in-person only event. Dr Animesh Bose, CEO, Optimus Alloys, reviews some of the highlights from the technical programme.
... Read more »
For twenty-five years, INMATEC Technologies GmbH has been producing market-leading feedstocks for both Ceramic Injection Moulding (CIM) and Metal Injection Moulding (MIM). Dr Georg Schlieper recently visited the company for PIM International and, in this article, reports on its history, current activities and expectations for the future of engineered ceramics. What is clear is that following strategic investments from luxury goods house Chanel, which now owns a majority stake in the business, the future for CIM and ceramic Additive Manufacturing looks brighter than ever.
... Read more »
Despite the success of Ceramic Injection Moulding (CIM) in multiple end-user sectors, from luxury watches to automotive interiors and industrial engineering, there remains considerable scope for process optimisation to advance part quality, productivity and overall process capability. As part of the ‘CIM++’ research project, Ceramaret, Primaform and the iRAP institute investigated the potential of a variotherm control system for the CIM process and, as the results presented here demonstrate, significant improvements were achieved.
... Read more »
After a four-year interruption due to COVID-19, Ceramitec, the leading trade
fair for the ceramics industry, reopened its doors at Messe München, Germany,
from June 21–24, 2022. Whilst noticeably smaller than in previous years, and
with significant gaps in the floor plan from the industrial ceramics sector, the
event appears to have been positive for the technical ceramics community.
Dr Georg Schlieper visited the exhibition for PIM International and reports
on activities of interest to users of Ceramic Injection Moulding and ceramic
Additive Manufacturing technologies.
... Read more »
Join our community