Dive Brief:
- Hershey will partner with 3D Systems to develop candy that can be manufactured by 3D printers. Terms of the multiyear agreement were not disclosed.
- The deal gives Hershey access to two models of 3D's Chef Jet machines, but it's unclear even to Hershey what to do with them, "whether it is creating a whole new form of candy or developing a new way to produce it," according to a written statement from the candy manufacturer.
- As unclear as the future of printable food may be, the deal with 3D gives Hershey a substantial lead in understanding and mastering what is likely to become a major component of food processing.
Dive Insight:
Perhaps it's the nature of geeks, but it's always been sort of funny to us that when people have talked about the potential of 3D printing, they have tended to cite examples seemingly culled from the minds of 10-year old boys: action figures, real-looking people that you can eat, sexy demon girls, guns — stuff like that.
Now that Hershey is on board, the geeks can start to dream big. Look for Hershey to launch edible action figures of sexy demon girls that shoot bullets within days.