Altran Invests in 3D-Printing Developer

France’s Altran Group is making an unspecified investment in Divergent Technologies Inc. to further develop the California company’s 3D-printing technology for automotive applications.

Under the partnership, Altran will provide engineering support to Divergent to accelerate the launch and licensing of its hardware-software platform in China, Europe and the U.S. Divergent signed a separate development deal with PSA Group in September.

Divergent claims its “Node” technology, which enables carbon fiber structural parts to be quickly connected and assembled, can halve the chassis weight of a five-passenger car and reduce the number of vehicle parts by more than 75%. The company envisions a 10-fold reduction in manufacturing capital investments for carmakers that adopt the process.

Divergent demonstrated its technology earlier this year with its 1,400-lb Blade concept car (pictured). Equipped with a 700-hp engine, the lightweight supercar can rocket from zero to 60 mph in about two seconds, according to the developer.