In California, Divergent 3D, a 3D printing automobile technology company, received $23 million from Horizons Ventures as well as Altran, a large automotive and aerospace engineering services provider, as part of its Series A funding round. Horizons Ventures is the private investment arm of Hong Kong business tycoon and investor Mr. Li Ka-shing. Divergent also signed a strategic partnership with European automaker PSA Group (Peugeot, Citroen & DS) in order to get their prototype to full production and market.
Divergent’s 3D printed automobile uses carbon fibers and metal alloys to build a stronger structure than current automobiles while being more than 50% lighter than current vehicles. This allows Divergent to use less energy and resources to build the car compared to traditional automotive manufacturing. The car also uses less fuel due to its lightweight nature and does not leave as large of an environmental manufacturing footprint as traditional autos.