How a Chinese start-up is scaling 3D printing from sneakers to robots

One of the biggest moments for China's booming robotics industry this year was the catwalk performance by carmaker Xpeng's new humanoid robot: it was so lifelike that founder He Xiaopeng had to unzip its back to prove there was no person inside.The reveal exposed what was under the covers: bionic "muscles" that enable such uncanny lifelikeness, made possible by the 3D printing technology and high-performance materials from Chinese start-up PollyPolymer.Wang Wenbin, founder and chairman of PollyPolymer, told the Post in a recent interview that the company has "established joint research and development (R&D) partnerships with several leading robotics companies, including more than 20 from China".Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.As well as the bionic muscles for Xpeng, PollyPolymer has developed joint cushioning kits for UBTech Robotics and integrated foot kits for EngineAI.Bionic muscles for humanoid robots require a special material that "must simultaneously meet four core requirements: high elasticity, excellent heat dissipation, superior wear resistance and anti-ageing properties", Wang said, adding that the molecular structure was modified to achieve an elongation rate of 300 per cent while maintaining a skin-like texture.Wang Wenbin, founder and chairman of 3D-printing start-up PollyPolymer. Photo: Handout alt=Wang Wenbin, founder and chairman of 3D-printing start-up PollyPolymer. Photo: Handout>Based in Suzhou in eastern Jiangsu province, PollyPolymer not only has around 10,000 sets of material formulations, but it also developed the proprietary "hindered asynchronous light synthesis (HALS)" 3D printing technology that boosts printing speed by up to 100 times compared with traditional 3D printing.A materials expert, Wang founded PollyPolymer in 2017 and developed a mature 3D-printing technology for footwear two years later. Shoes remain the company's main market, accounting for 60 per cent of its total revenue.This year, the company's capacity to print shoes reached 2 million pairs, which was set to double in 2026, Wang said. However, it is still a nascent market with less than 0.1 per cent of shoes worldwide being 3D-printed. Wang's goal is to increase that to 10 per cent in seven years.Working with brands such as Cole Haan, Skechers and Peak Sport Products, PollyPolymer not only supplies components like highly elastic soles and lightweight vamps, but also entire shoes printed as one piece.It has also engaged in brand partnerships to promote 3D-printed fashion. Last year, The Walt Disney Company presented several items at the Shanghai Fashion Week, with the Chinese company "responsible for material research and development for footwear, bags and accessories, alongside 3D printing technical support", Wang said.PollyPolymer specialises in ultra-fast 3D printing technology. Photo: Handout alt=PollyPolymer specialises in ultra-fast 3D printing technology. Photo: Handout>PollyPolymer "rapidly responded to Disney's customised design requirements, such as the three-dimensional rendering of cartoon elements, without the need for traditional moulding, reducing production time by 70 per cent", he added.Besides footwear and apparel, other sectors are gaining traction in adopting the technology, including robotics, sports equipment, smart home systems and dental care.The Chinese firm has also collaborated with Samsung Electronics and Bosch in R&D projects, rather than turning out final products. PollyPolymer supplied the two electronics giants with 3D printed prototypes to help improve their R&D efficiency, according to Wang.One quarter of its revenue comes from customers outside China, with annual growth of more than 40 per cent. In three years, PollyPolymer expects the overseas market to contribute to more than 50 per cent of total sales.The company recently launched its own consumer brand, PollyFab, targeting the youth market overseas and tech enthusiasts in China. Wang said the brand would initially cover three types of products: customised sneakers, accessories such as keychains and home decor with cultural and creative elements.In 2026, PollyFab plans to establish bricks-and-mortar stores in major markets including the US, France and Japan.This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright © 2025 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.Copyright (c) 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.