With the growing amount of plastic waste, producers are looking for alternatives, which will solve the problem of generating huge amounts of plastic at alarming rate. Until now, PLA was one of the few biodegradable filaments for 3D printing. Its base comes from natural materials, thanks to which it is considered environmentally friendly. However, the very issue of the biodegradability of all PLA-based filaments is a moot point.

The Czech producer of filaments for 3D printing in the FDM technology – Fillamentum, wants to face the problem of plastic waste creating a composite material based on PLA and PHB. Materials are of better strength and temperature resistance than conventional PLA. At the same time, new filament is 100% biodegradable.

NonOilen is a material composed of natural, renewable materials. The production process of the newly introduced material complies with the so-called circular economy, which means the possibility of multiple use, reducing waste generation. The produced material waste is used as a substrate in subsequent products for as long as possible. When it begins to loose its properties and thus completes its life cycle, NonOilen can be degraded to biomass, water and carbon dioxide in the process of composting, disposal of food waste or sent to the Fillamentum.

The name of the new product in Fillamentum portfolio, NonOilen, comes directly from the material manufacturing technology. No fossil fuels, such as crude oil, are used in its production. Such solution leads to reduction of negative impact of production to the environment. Oxo-bioplastics are degraded in an oxygen environment into micro-plastics. These can have a negative impact on the cleanliness of soil and oceans. On the other hand, the new Fillamentum material is biodegradable through depolymerization and accelerated decomposition of the material in the compost environment.

NonOilen breaks down three times faster than traditional PLA. The material was created as a result of long-term cooperation of Fillamentum specialists with the research team of Professor Pavol Alexy from the Slovak Technical University in Bratislava, Slovakia. In addition, the Czech manufacturer has also joined the DHL GoGreen program to reduce the carbon footprint of parcel delivery.

Despite the possibility to complete biodegradation, thanks to the PHB content, NonOilen has better mechanical properties and temperature resistance, compared to traditional PLA. The material can withstand the temperatures up to 110 ℃ and is durable. It is also approved for contact with food and can be used for production of electronic components. NonOilen is easy to 3D print and provides a smooth surface finish, while printing at low layer height. Interestingly, the material does not lose its mechanical properties, even in subsequent cycles, after reprocessing. As a result, it can be successfully used to create functional gauges, reducing the amount of waste.

Source: fillamentum.com

Main theme: Fillamentum press materials

Patrycja Dubert
Biomedical engineer interested in unconventional and innovative approach to medicine and its connection with modern technology.

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