Case Study Mavive - Weerg: The 3D Printed ALPS Molecules

Mavive, a leader in the fragrance industry, has recently partnered with Weerg, a cutting-edge company specialising in 3D printing, to create a unique and innovative project: the three-dimensional representation of the molecules of their new fragrance, ALPS. This collaboration utilised Weerg’s advanced 3D printing technology with custom-dyed PA12 nylon, a revolutionary process introduced by Weerg in 2024.

leader nel settore della profumeria, ha recentemente collaborato con Weerg, un'azienda all'avanguardia nella stampa 3D, per la realizzazione di un progetto unico e innovativo: la rappresentazione tridimensionale delle molecole del nuovo profumo ALPS. Questa collaborazione ha sfruttato la tecnologia di stampa 3D con colorazione custom in nylon PA12 tinto, una novità assoluta introdotta da Weerg nel 2024.

The dyeing of PA12 nylon marks a significant breakthrough in the field, offering a standard palette of eight colours, as well as the option for bespoke customisations, such as those required for the Mavive project. This ability to tailor colours not only expands the choices available to customers but also opens up new avenues for branding and bespoke creative projects. In this case, Weerg’s ability to provide on-demand dyeing allowed Mavive to create a visual representation that reflects the very essence of the ALPS fragrance.

One of Weerg's most appreciated innovations is its ability to dye PA12 nylon using MJF (Multi Jet Fusion) technology without altering the material's tolerances or mechanical properties. This is particularly important not only for sectors like automotive and industrial components, but it is also generating great interest in the worlds of design and artistic creativity.

Carola Bonfili, the visual artist commissioned by Mavive, chose to interpret the complex geometries of the ALPS fragrance molecules, creating a sculptural triptych that represents the molecules in three dimensions. She drew inspiration from the molecules featured in the virtual reality experience developed by Customix. Her artistic interpretation does not aim to scientifically reproduce the molecules but rather to enhance the olfactory characteristics of the fragrance and simplify the concept of olfactory neuroscience, a technology present in ALPS fragrances.

Weerg’s engineers introduced artist Carola Bonfili to MJF powder printing using PA12 nylon, allowing her to discover the incredible potential of this material.
Fabio Trotti, Head of Weerg R&D, commented: "Many 3D artists still don’t fully understand the properties of this material, often opting for less detailed or much more expensive alternatives. With the solution provided by Weerg, Mavive's project achieves the perfect balance between intricate detail, even on a small scale, and structural quality."

Mattia Mialich, Head of Digital Marketing at Mavive, was instrumental in the success of the ALPS project. "I was searching for a company that could support us in 3D printing the fragrance molecules, which users interact with in the VR experience of the ALPS Immersive Experience. At Weerg, I found a partner who immediately understood the needs of both Mavive and artist Carola Bonfili, conducting a series of tests to select the optimal colour solution."

The final result of this collaboration is a unique installation, now on display at the Museum of Perfume at Palazzo Mocenigo in Venice. Carola Bonfili's work, a triptych of three 3D-printed molecules in dyed PA12 nylon, represents a perfect blend of art, technology, and perfumery, showcasing Mavive and Weerg's commitment to bringing innovation to even the most traditional sectors.

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