One of the standout moments in China’s rapidly evolving robotics industry occurred when Xpeng, a notable car manufacturer, showcased its new humanoid robot on the catwalk. The lifelike appearance was so convincing that founder He Xiaopeng had to unzip the robot’s back to confirm that no human was inside. This reveal highlighted the innovative bionic "muscles" that bring such realism to the robot, made possible by advancements in 3D printing technology from the Chinese startup PollyPolymer.
Wang Wenbin, the founder and chairman of PollyPolymer, shared that the company has formed joint research and development partnerships with over 20 leading robotics firms in China. Beyond providing bionic muscles for Xpeng, PollyPolymer has created joint cushioning kits for UBTech Robotics and integrated foot kits for EngineAI.
These bionic muscles necessitate a special material with exceptional properties: high elasticity, excellent heat dissipation, superior wear resistance, and anti-aging characteristics. Wang mentioned that through modifications to the molecular structure, the materials achieve a remarkable 300 percent elongation while maintaining a skin-like texture.
Located in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, PollyPolymer boasts around 10,000 material formulations and has developed a proprietary technology dubbed "hindered asynchronous light synthesis (HALS)," enabling printing speeds that are up to 100 times greater than traditional methods.
Founded in 2017, PollyPolymer initially focused on developing 3D-printing technology for footwear, with shoes accounting for 60% of their total revenue. This year alone, they achieved a production capacity of 2 million pairs of shoes, with plans to double that number in 2026. Despite currently representing only 0.1% of the global shoe market, Wang aims for that figure to reach 10% within seven years.
Collaborating with notable brands like Cole Haan, Skechers, and Peak Sport Products, PollyPolymer not only supplies individual components, such as highly elastic soles and lightweight vamps, but also produces complete shoes in a single piece using 3D printing.
In addition to footwear and apparel, the startup is also venturing into other industries such as robotics, sports equipment, smart home systems, and dental care. They’ve worked with corporate giants like Samsung and Bosch on R&D projects, providing 3D-printed prototypes to enhance their development processes.
Currently, a quarter of PollyPolymer’s revenue comes from international clients, with the company experiencing an annual growth rate of over 40%. In the next three years, they anticipate that international sales will account for more than half of their business.
To engage the youth market outside China and tech enthusiasts within it, PollyPolymer recently launched its consumer brand, PollyFab. Initially, this brand will offer customized sneakers, keychains, and culturally inspired home decor items. Plans are also underway to open physical stores in major markets including the USA, France, and Japan by 2026.