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Lancashire3D launches recycled plastic filament vary for 3D printing service

Sustainable ABS spool from Lancashire3D.  Photo via Lancashire3D.

Lancashire3DThe UK-based 3D printing services bureau has launched its sustainable range of materials for the manufacture of 3D printed goods. The range is designed to combat waste in material extrusion processes and consists of two sources of recycled plastic: unwanted parts and waste filaments / carriers. Lancashire3D expects to reclaim over 150 pounds of waste each year and incorporate a circular production process.

“We know the planet has a limited amount of resources and that we all need to take on more responsibility,” said Steven Pearson, co-founder of Lancashire3D Ltd. and companies like ours help. ”

“By creating a circular economy (production), which means that 3D printing material is returned for recycling after completion and converted back into printable material and reused, waste is seen as a resource and part of a continuous cycle.”

Sustainable ABS spool from Lancashire3D. Photo via Lancashire3D.

Creating 3D printing filaments from UK waste streams

Lancashire3D was founded in Preston in April 2018 and provides 3D scanning, reverse engineering and 3D printing services. At the in-house farm with 42 FFF and SLA 3D printers, parts are made for customers from a range of materials, including ABS, PLA and standard resin. The company also offers customers the option to use more durable materials such as carbon fiber composites and tough resin. The production capacity ranges from small to medium-sized prototypes and fabrications. Lancashire3D opened its first facility in January 2019 which has enabled the company to handle a wider range of high performing materials and allow customers to visit the company.

With the goal of being an “Eco Responsible 3D Printing Studio”, sustainability is an important goal of Lancashire3D. To reduce its environmental footprint, the company ensures that 95 percent of its plastic is recovered for waste production and recycled into sustainable 3D printing material. Recycling is completed on site to further reduce the carbon footprint by not shipping it to off-site recycling centers. Lancashire3D offers 3D printed products with a PET plastic that is 100 percent recycled, for example, while its ABS plastic is recycled up to 64 percent.

“We bring more than 10 years of experience in technology, design and industry with us and we strive to develop truly innovative ways to combine the art and science of 3D printing while realizing our vision of being as much as possible recycle and reuse, ”added Pearson.

With its new filament collection Sustainable Range, Lancashire3D continues to achieve its goal. The range was developed in response to the region’s lack of plastic waste recycling facilities that can process waste after 3D printing.

The new collection, made from the company’s UK 3D printing waste stream, will complement the existing range of recycled plastics and contain at least 50 percent recycled material. Lancashire3D offers the customer 3D printed items with the material at a reduced price in order to pass on the savings from recovering plastics both through material waste and through the customers themselves. The sustainable range currently only includes ABS, but will soon be expanded to include a 3D printing material made from PLA plastic.

Lancashire3D SLA parts.  Image via Lancashire3D.Lancashire3D SLA parts. Image via Lancashire3D.

Sustainable 3D printing

As efforts are being made around the world to reduce single-use plastic production to more sustainable manufacturing processes, 3D printing companies are following suit to improve their environmental footprint.

For example the British brand for 3D printer filaments Filamentous released a new one 100% recycled plastic filaments this year. The material is made from PET plastic bottle waste that was developed in collaboration with Tridea, a company that specializes in converting plastic waste into 3D filaments. NefilatekThe Montreal-based startup also produces 3D printing filaments 100% recycled plastic.

Large 3D printer manufacturers are also taking a more sustainable approach to production. Based in Silicon Valley DLS Companies carbon recently released his new one RPU 130 resin, 30 percent of it is made from Susterra Propanediol, a plant-based material DuPont Tate & Lyle, a company specializing in organic products. Leading German 3D printer manufacturer EOS recently appointed a new CEO in Marie Langerwho wants to highlight the “positive environmental and social benefits” of 3D printing by focusing on sustainability.

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The picture shown shows a 3D printed sample made from double-recycled PLA waste plastic. Photo via Lancashire3D.

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