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…
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…
On-demand manufacturing is already a reality within industries where quick access to spare parts presents the opportunity to gain a potential competitive advantage. Sectors including rail, defence and automotive are leading the way, making the most of technologies like additive manufacturing (AM) in order to localise production by printing spares, tooling and products whenever and wherever…
One issue that will truly advance advanced manufacturing – especially additive manufacturing (AM) – is sustainability.AM processes are uniquely poised among manufacturing techniques for innovative steps forward in “greener” opportunities.Importantly, there are ways to do so without greenwashing. The most-touted benefits of 3D printing for sustainability are relatively simple: additive—in contrast to subtractive—manufacturing adds material rather than removing.With improvements in…
3D printing has been touted for its ability to re-shore production and use less overall feedstock than conventional techniques. Discussed less frequently is the technology’s ability to repurpose materials. One 3D printing startup keenly aware of this fact just came out of stealth and is in talks with investors to scale up its operations. But Marvel Labs doesn’t…
FRIBOURG, Switzerland—Volvo Cars is using ampliTex flax fiber composites from Swiss company Bcomp to make optional trim for the dashboard and doors of the new EX30 compact electric SUV. It is the first production vehicle to use the new, lightweight material. While Bcomp’s natural fiber composites have been used in motorsport applications, such as Formula 1,…
As issues related to global warming continue to arise, people around the world are constantly searching for solutions to our environmental concerns. One notable one is seeking ways to address the growing waste issue, with the World Bank estimating that global waste would grow to 3.40 billion tonnes by 2050. It is for this reason that…
With the ability to create custom objects quickly and efficiently, 3D printing has opened up a world of possibilities for designers and engineers. But what if we could take 3D printing a step further? What if we could use AI and other tools to make the process even more efficient and streamlined? In a world where…