Creating a Better Tomorrow with Eco-Friendly 3D Printing

They draw inspiration from nature to develop easy-to-use solutions that connect the gap between human-made products and the environment.

“Our goal is to create tools and materials to grow and scale the production of products using compostable biomaterials.”

Mariet Sauerwein

Research Fellow

Did you know that in 2019, every citizen of Amsterdam threw away an average of 17.6 kilos of plastic waste, 19 kilos of paper waste, and 86 kilos of organic waste?

Our goal is to promote the use of biobased materials for 3D printing. We believe that organic waste streams are a promising source of raw materials for high-quality and locally manufactured products. Through our research, we aim to develop a technique for processing biocompostable paste at room temperature using a 3D printer. This process, called paste-based (or cold) extrusion, involves extruding an extrusion paste through a nozzle in the 3D print head to create objects under computer control without heating the material.

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Junai

3D printed with olive pits

Junai

Alginate as a biobased material to print with

Junai

made out of olive pits

We are also developing material recipes consisting of various fillers, binders, and additives extracted from organic waste streams. We are conducting research into the various organic waste streams in Amsterdam to determine which raw materials can be extracted and their material properties. By developing material recipes that overcome the obstacles associated with using biocompostable material paste within 3D printers, we hope to encourage more widespread adoption of this sustainable 3D printing method.

Our project focuses on developing high-quality materials from organic waste to demonstrate that a positive business case for separate collection and treatment of organic waste is possible. This will drive the scaling up of our technology and knowledge sharing to ensure that more and more organic waste is reused in a circular manner.

“Through the power of biomaterials, we can create products that not only close the loop on waste, but also open new opportunities for affordable local manufacturing”

Jasper Middendorp - Project Lead

Our concrete outputs include a production method for 3D printing based on organic waste through paste-based extrusion, material kits, open-source designs and products for 3D printers, and an operating foundation that shares the knowledge and designs made open-source. Our goal is to make biobased 3D printing as accessible as possible to manufacturers, makers, and designers to promote sustainable job and value creation.

If you want to find out more about this project, and check out the products? please visit here.

Want to know more or looking to collaborate?