Additive manufacturing—a computerized process that builds physical 3D objects by adding material one layer at a time from a digital model—has largely remained a technology for prototypes and small production runs. Where parts are needed in the millions, as in consumer electronics, manufacturers have generally stayed with injection moulding, stamping and machining, processes that deliver unit costs and cycle times additive methods have struggled to match.

Founded in 2015 in canton Aargau, Exentis builds production systems around additive screen printing by depositing pastes of metals, ceramics or polymers through screens at room temperature before sintering—a manufacturing process that turns loose materials into a solid object using heat and pressure. Customers either operate systems in-house under licence agreements or have Exentis manufacture for them as a contract manufacturer, with the group also earning recurring revenue from consumables and licence fees.

The company has now signed a framework agreement covering 15 Exentis production systems, an order volume of approximately CHF 22 million, with a new customer in Asia. The order is for the large-scale production of innovative components in the rapidly growing consumer electronics market. 

"We are very pleased to have convinced another key customer in Asia of the benefits of our unique technology platform. Consumer electronics is a particularly attractive market for Exentis, as high production volumes coincide with demanding requirements in terms of precision, component performance and manufacturing costs," said Rolf Bachmann, CEO of Exentis. He said the platform allowed millions of high-precision parts to be produced with a free choice of materials and component geometries that could be adapted within a few days.

This agreement further strengthens Exentis’ market share in Asia. In late 2025, the company had already secured an order for 10 systems—an order volume of CHF 18 million—from an Asian strategic partner, with the first deliveries scheduled for early 2026. 

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Image: Exentis production system, image courtesy of Exentis.