{"id":20021,"date":"2025-10-08T07:08:32","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T13:08:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/?p=20021"},"modified":"2025-12-03T12:47:31","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T18:47:31","slug":"pe-3d-printing-industry-looks-to-plant-based-polymers-for-sustainability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/20021\/pe-3d-printing-industry-looks-to-plant-based-polymers-for-sustainability\/","title":{"rendered":"3D printing industry looks to plant-based polymers for sustainability"},"content":{"rendered":"

As polymers respond to the challenge of using feedstocks other than fossil fuels, several innovative examples are emerging, especially for the <\/strong>3D printing<\/strong><\/a> industry, which is increasingly calling for resins made with renewable resources to advance more sustainable additive manufacturing. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Plant-based resins<\/strong><\/p>\n

A team from the Universitat Polit\u00e8cnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC) and the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia has developed polymeric resins derived from plant-based materials aimed at reducing 3D printing\u2019s reliance on fossil fuel-based resins.<\/p>\n

To meet this challenge, researchers at the Universitat Polit\u00e8cnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC) and the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) have developed new 3D polymeric resins from monomers which, to be industrially viable, must be liquid, solvent-free, and feature fast polymerization kinetics.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Researcher Elaine Armelin with samples of the newly developed resin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"
3D printing models using plant-based polymeric resin<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This research was carried out in two stages: in the first, the polymeric resin was formulated using plant-based materials; in the second, ICIQ printed the resin.<\/p>\n

The polymeric resins developed by the UPC and ICIQ team are derived from natural sources – succinic acid, malic acid and tartaric acid – which require only a single synthesis step to be converted into functional resins. Succinic acid is a compound found in foods such as corn and broccoli. These can then be used in digital light processing (DLP) or stereolithography (SLA) printers.<\/p>\n

Currently, the IMEM-BRT group is also researching soft biopolymers<\/a>\u2014such as alginate, chitosan and gelatin – as sustainable superabsorbent materials for applications in soils, batteries and polyelectrolytes for desalination cells.<\/p>\n

\n

Discover Material Selection with Prospector Premium, learn more here<\/a>!<\/h3>\n
\n

Vitrimers – sustainable, self-repairing and antimicrobial<\/strong><\/p>\n

From medicine to electronics and optics, new materials developed Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) in Lithuania can be applied where cleanliness, precision, and durability are essential. They stand out not only for their functionality but also for their sustainability: they are made from renewable raw materials, and no solvents are used during production.<\/p>\n

The materials \u2013 polymers developed by KTU researchers \u2013 belong to the class of vitrimers, a relatively new type of polymer discovered only about three decades ago, and named vitrimers just 15 years ago. This makes it a rapidly growing research field that is attracting increasing attention from scientists worldwide.<\/p>\n

Until now, and according to Professor Jolita Ostrauskait\u0117 at the KTU Department of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, most vitrimers were derived from petroleum resources and required catalysts for processing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe polymers we have developed are unique because they are made from plant-based compounds, cured under UV or visible light, and do not require catalysts for processing. This happens naturally due to the chemical structure of the material itself,\u201d emphasises Ostrauskait\u0117.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Y-shaped connector successfully printed by KTU scientists<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Vitrimers are thermosetting polymers that, thanks to dynamic covalent bonds, can be thermally reprocessed or reshaped, similar to thermoplastics<\/a>. At certain temperatures, they can self-heal after damage and also retain a temporary shape that can later be restored \u2013 this is known as thermally responsive shape memory.”<\/p>\n

This is important not only because it simplifies the technological process but also for sustainability \u2013 catalysts are often expensive, derived from non-renewable resources, or even toxic. By eliminating them, material consumption is reduced, no additional additives are needed, and the technology becomes simpler, safer, and more environmentally friendly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe starting compounds used in the study were obtained from plant oils and by-products of biodiesel production; certain fragments interfere with bacteria and other microorganisms, disrupting their vital functions. This is why such materials can be used to create surfaces or products that must remain clean and hygienic, for example, in medical devices, electronics, sensors, or other items where microbial control is critical,\u201d explains Ostrauskait\u0117.<\/p>\n

Optical 3D printing<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the most notable achievements by KTU researchers is the polymers\u2019 suitability for optical 3D printing<\/a>, which can be performed at room temperature, consumes less energy, and generates less waste.<\/p>\n

When exposed to UV or visible light, these polymers can be printed in complex shapes, such as medical device connectors. \u201cWe successfully printed a Y-shaped connector \u2013 a typical medical component used to join tubes in infusion or respiratory equipment. This part requires high precision, making it an excellent test of the material we developed,\u201d says Ostrauskait\u0117.<\/p>\n

Optical 3D printing<\/a> technology allows the production of other complex components, such as optical lenses or electronics parts, which demand extremely precise dimensions and geometry. Additionally, the material can be shaped into temporary structures that can later be transformed or repaired \u2013 invaluable for prototyping and quickly responding to industrial needs. A related feature is the polymers\u2019 antimicrobial properties, arising from structural fragments in their composition.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the most significant scientific achievement was combining, in a single material, plant-based origin, radiation-induced polymerisation, self-repairing ability, shape memory, antimicrobial effect, and suitability for optical 3D printing. Such multifunctional and sustainable solutions are still very rare, making this an important step forward both scientifically and industrially.<\/p>\n

References<\/strong><\/p>\n

Synthesis of bio-sourced liquid resins and their photopolymerization with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate in the roadmap to more sustainable digital light processing technologies.
\n<\/em>RSC Appl. Polym., 2024, 2, 284\u2013295, DOI: 10.1039\/d3lp00207a<\/p>\n

Antimicrobial Vitrimers Synthesized from Dipentaerythritol Pentaacrylate and 2-Hydroxy-3-phenoxypropyl Acrylate for LCD 3D Printing.
\n<\/em>https:\/\/en.ktu.edu\/news\/new-generation-polymers-developed-by-ktu-scientists-sustainable-self-repairing-and-antimicrobial\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As polymers respond to the challenge of using feedstocks other than fossil fuels, several innovative examples are emerging, especially for the 3D printing industry, which is increasingly calling for resins made with renewable resources to advance more sustainable additive manufacturing. … 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Working with end users, PR agencies and website designers, this business is growing rapidly and Andy is aactively building a team of expert writers to fufil the demand for feature articles, news items and white papers.","sameAs":["http:\/\/www.ulprospector.com"],"url":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/author\/andy-pye\/"}]}},"authors":[{"term_id":1238,"user_id":22,"is_guest":0,"slug":"andy-pye","display_name":"Andy Pye","avatar_url":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/media\/2017\/10\/Andy-Pye_avatar_1508792576-96x96.jpg","author_category":"","first_name":"Andy","last_name":"Pye","user_url":"http:\/\/www.ulprospector.com","job_title":"","description":"Andy Pye is a technologist, technical writer, journalist and editor based in London, England close to the Greenwich Meridian line. Having originally qualified as a metallurgist at Cambridge University, Andy spent a period as a consultant, where he specialised in advanced composites, asbestos substitutes and the methodology of materials selection, subjects on which he has published several books and technical papers.\r\n\r\nSince the early 1980s, he has edited many of the leading manufacturing and engineering titles in the UK, firstly cutting his teeth as a technical journalist on Design Engineering. Known as \"The Materials Man\", he covered many of the early innovations in engineering plastics. He was promoted to editor in 1985 and subsequently moved on to edit Engineering magazine (1992), and Industrial Technology (1994).\r\n\r\nIn 1999, with former colleagues, he launched Pro-Talk, which founded the first online publications for engineers in Europe - the then thriving business was sold to Centaur Publications in 2006. Since then, Andy has continued to publish online, including his own title New Materials International (www.newmaterials.com). He is also a regular contributor to many specialist engineering titles in the UK and Europe, including Controls, Drives & Automation (CDA), Engineering & Technology (E&T), and Environmental Technology.\r\n\r\nAs technology companies strive to manage their own websites, they are recognising the need to develop their writing and editing resources. Andy now works directly for companies in the manufacturing sector, delivering technical content through this medium for their current and prospective customers. Working with end users, PR agencies and website designers, this business is growing rapidly and Andy is aactively building a team of expert writers to fufil the demand for feature articles, news items and white papers."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20021","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20021"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20021\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20028,"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20021\/revisions\/20028"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20024"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20021"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20021"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20021"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=20021"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}