As many of you liked the article on biological polymers that can lead to circular manufacturing models, I will dive deeper into this topic, explaining how a transition to biological polymers could be achieved. So far we have learned that the most abundant organic biopolymers like cellulose and chitin can be used to produce very strong…
Unlocking the value of a circular economy using 3D printing is leading innovation everywhere. Recovery initiatives to increase sustainability, like reusing plastic waste and turning it into 3D printing filament, are becoming more common. In tune with the need to care for Earth’s limited resources, Italian studio Carlo Ratti Associati (CRA), in partnership with global energy…
Extracts of lemon and almond peels can be used for sustainably produced car parts and building components. This BARBARA project jointly funded by the European Union and industry ensures that food waste can be put to good use, replacing petroleum-based plastics with more environmentally friendly bioplastics. The BARBARA project is supported by the European consortium called…
Plastics and their byproducts are littering our cities, oceans, and waterways, and contributing to health problems in humans and animals. 70 % of the deep sea fish have eaten plastic and 55 % of fish species were even found with microplastics in their body. But as the number of uses rises, so does the demand for…
One of the main reasons why bioplastics have not been adopted more yet, is that often they can’t compete on price with fossilbased materials (at least this goes for the traditional manufacturing technologies). That means they need to offer other benefits, let’s have a look into these benefits. There are two major advantages of biobased plastic…
There are many misconceptions and myths when it comes to Bioplastics. One example for such a misconception is that bioplastics are considered to be always compostable and can’t be used for engineering applications. However this is not true. Let us have a closer look and see what bioplastics are. According to European Bioplastics, a plastic material…
Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a new 3D printing method that uses a polymer ink and salt water solution to create solid structures. Detailed in Nature Communications, the work is claimed to have the potential to make materials manufacturing more sustainable and environmentally friendly. The process uses PNIPAM (poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)) ink. When this…
Building with 3D printers has matured rapidly in recent years, as advances in technology and material science allow for grander and more ambitious designs. The potential uses are also increasingly varied, from affordable housing to a planned NASA base on the Moon. Most 3D-printed structures are built using concrete or other pourable, cementitious substances that are cheap,…
In the traditional model of infrastructure, roads, power grids, and internet connectivity are passively consumed. We rely on centralized authorities to build and maintain these systems, often with limited transparency or user participation. But what if there was a way to break free from this model and become active contributors? Imagine a world where you contribute…
When it comes to property, $20,000 doesn’t usually get you much. That’s not the case with Azure Printed Homes, which offers not only cost-effective but also sustainable housing as the world’s first robotically 3D-printed homes made using recycled plastic. The Los Angeles-based start-up was founded by British engineer Ross Maguire and real-estate developer Gene Eidelman in 2019 to offer a sustainable,…
We have grown up in an environment where plastic, once used, is considered waste. This burden has prevented generations of consumers and industries from capturing the economic benefits of plastic. With Additive Manufacturing and circular economy at the top of Europe’s agenda, waste that was considered a burden before has now turned into gold. The only…
A new type of recyclable resin, made from biosourced materials, has been designed for use in 3D printing applications. In a study, published today in Nature, researchers from the University of Birmingham showed that high-resolution, 3D printed structures can be manufactured from an entirely bio-sourced feedstock. Once they have reached the end of their useful life, the products…
A groundbreaking study reveals the potential of a PHB and cellulose composite for 3D printing, while TECNALIA's SuperBark initiative aims to create sustainable adhesives and coatings with 95% bio-based content. Together, these advancements are revolutionizing manufacturing and promoting circular economies. In an era where sustainability is not just a choice but a necessity, a groundbreaking study…
Sustainable materials are increasingly in the spotlight as both companies and research teams try to find more eco-friendly alternatives for different industries. One of the sectors that places most emphasis on this quest for sustainability is the construction industry. This is because the emissions of this sector alone are some of the highest worldwide. Annually, the construction…
In 2023, global events coupled with the cost of living crisis have motivated manufacturers across a range of industries to re-think their centralised production models. We’ve seen more companies integrate technologies like additive manufacturing (AM) into their factory floor operations to work alongside traditional processes, enabling more immediate and cost-effective manufacturing on-demand – helping to meet…
Additive manufacturing (AM) has revolutionized the production landscape, enabling unprecedented levels of customization and complex design. However, with its rise, the focus on sustainability within AM has become essential. This article aims to comprehensively explore sustainability in 3D printing, addressing opportunities, challenges, and potential tools for measuring sustainability within the industry. Opportunities for AM in Sustainability…