Materialise Divests RapidFit in Strategic Pivot to Core Growth Areas

LEUVEN, BELGIUM – March 31, 2026 – Materialise NV, a global pioneer in 3D printing technology, has announced a significant strategic move, confirming the transfer of its RapidFit business to the unit's existing management team. The transaction, expected to close by April 30, 2026, will see RapidFit emerge as an independent entity, continuing its operations under the same name and leadership. This divestment marks a calculated pivot for Materialise, allowing the additive manufacturing giant to sharpen its focus on its most profitable and high-growth business segments.

The decision aligns with a broader trend in the maturing additive manufacturing industry, where established players are increasingly refining their portfolios to optimize performance and specialize in core competencies. For Materialise, this means concentrating resources on its burgeoning Medical and Software divisions.

A Strategic Realignment

The divestiture of RapidFit is not a sudden shift but the culmination of a clear strategic realignment within Materialise. The company's recent financial performance paints a stark picture of diverging fortunes across its business segments. The Materialise Medical segment has been a powerhouse, reporting a 15.4% revenue increase to €134.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2025, with an impressive Adjusted EBITDA margin of 32.0%. This division, which accounted for over half of the company's revenue in the final quarter of 2025, represents a clear engine for future growth.

In stark contrast, the Materialise Manufacturing segment, which housed RapidFit, has faced considerable macroeconomic headwinds. The segment's revenue declined by 13.2% in 2025 to €92.5 million, and it posted a negative Adjusted EBITDA of -€4.2 million. This performance highlights the challenges in the broader industrial market and provides a compelling financial rationale for the divestment. By spinning off RapidFit, Materialise effectively sheds a less profitable operation, allowing it to reallocate capital and management attention to its thriving medical and software businesses.

“For RapidFit, operating as an independent company provides greater focus and flexibility,” said Jurgen Laudus, Vice President, Materialise Manufacturing, in a statement. “A standalone setup allows the business to make decisions closer to its customers and markets, build on its core strengths, and pursue partnerships and investments that best support global growth.”

This move is expected to bolster Materialise's overall profitability. The company projects full-year revenues for 2026 to be in the range of €273 million to €283 million, with an Adjusted EBIT of €10 million to €12 million, signaling confidence in its more streamlined portfolio.

Independence Fuels Niche Innovation

For RapidFit, this management buyout represents a new chapter of autonomy and opportunity. The company specializes in a highly technical niche: designing and manufacturing custom 3D-printed jigs, fixtures, and quality control solutions for the demanding automotive and manufacturing industries. Its products, which include checking fixtures and lightweight production tools, are critical for improving production efficiency and ensuring quality assurance.

Operating as an independent entity will likely grant RapidFit the agility needed to thrive in its specialized market. Unencumbered by the broader strategic priorities of a large parent corporation, the management-led company can now make faster, more customer-centric decisions. This newfound flexibility could accelerate innovation and allow RapidFit to forge partnerships and pursue investments directly aligned with its mission.

The continuity of leadership is a key aspect of the transition, ensuring that the deep institutional knowledge and customer relationships remain intact. The vision for RapidFit has long been centered on creating a "factory of the future" for automotive tooling, leveraging digital workflows and advanced software to master the complete value chain. By focusing exclusively on its core market of automotive inspection and production tooling, the independent company is well-positioned to enhance its reputation as a reliable and innovative partner for leading OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.

Broader Trends and Future Outlook

The transaction is emblematic of a maturing additive manufacturing ecosystem. As the industry evolves beyond its initial hype cycle, companies are moving from broad-based service offerings to more specialized, high-value applications. The spin-off of a niche unit like RapidFit from a diversified giant like Materialise illustrates this trend toward specialization, where focused entities can better serve specific market needs.

While financial terms were not disclosed, a common practice in such management buyouts, the move is expected to be seamless for customers. Materialise has confirmed that the transaction will have no impact on existing orders or ongoing projects, ensuring business continuity.

As RapidFit embarks on its journey as a standalone company, it will do so with a clear mandate and a seasoned leadership team at the helm. Its ability to leverage 3D printing for on-demand, lightweight, and precise tooling gives it a distinct advantage in a sector that prizes speed and customization. The challenge and opportunity for the new RapidFit will be to capitalize on its independence, deepen its engagement with the automotive industry, and drive the next wave of innovation in 3D-printed manufacturing solutions.

The transaction is scheduled to be finalized on or around April 30, 2026, at which point RapidFit will officially begin its new life as a focused, independent force in the world of advanced manufacturing.