Finding sustainable 3D-printing materials with Vitriprint

Research project

3D-printing has seen a huge boom in recent years and the practice is increasingly common within the production industry. However, the materials used for 3D-printing (across multiple techniques, including extrusion printing and resin printing) usually rely on fossil plastics. In other words, the polymers used to make the materials such a 3D-printing filament are based on fossil resources such as oil. The Vitriprint project aims to find a more sustainable and renewable alternative for these polymers.

Multiple sustainability factors are considered in this project:

Whether biomass can be used as a feedstock in the production of these polymers
Making the synthesis of the biobased building blocks of these polymers sustainable, safe, and easier to scale up
Designing the bonds of the polymers so that they act like a thermoplastic and can be recycled, repaired or reprocessed
Testing the recycling of the used 3D-printing materials into granulates that can be repurposed in filament for extrusion-based 3D-printing.

If successful, the project could create a commercially attractive 3D-printing material that is more sustainable than current options on the market.

See our publications here.

The aim of this project is to develop materials that will enable the 3D-printing industry to produce prints in a more sustainable way. This isn’t just interesting for socially responsible companies hoping to make a positive impact, but it’s a necessary step for the industry to meet the requirements of the European Green Deal. The project hopes to achieve its aim in the following way:

Developing bio-based building blocks that can be scaled up through flow chemistry
Formulating a resin that can be recycled after use to be used as filament

In addition, the project aims to train (future) professionals by disseminating the knowledge gained to stakeholders. Conferences and other events will also be used for this purpose.

Met de kennis die in dit project is opgedaan, zal de industrie niet alleen beschikken over circulaire end-of-life scenario's (recyclen, hergebruiken, repareren), maar ook in staat zijn om hun materialen te maken van hernieuwbare grondstoffen in plaats van fossiele grondstoffen. Dit zal op termijn de druk op de beschikbaarheid van fossiele grondstoffen verminderen en voorkomen dat de opkomende 3D-printindustrie een grote ecologische voetafdruk ontwikkelt.

The project aims to valorise the two core concepts (scalable biobased building blocks and a recyclable resin) in several demonstrator cases to test if the material meets the needs of future clients. The partnered network organisations BINDER3D and CHILL will attract additional project partners during the project to test the industry’s response to and acceptance of the materials. Furthermore, the project aims to disseminate the knowledge gained through networking meetings, trade fairs and conferences.