July 29, 2015 | By Simon
As we continue to see releases of new types of filaments on a seemingly weekly basis, it comes with little surprise that among other prominent filament releases is an all-natural, nontoxic and 100% compostable bioplastic that’s made from raw plant materials.
Austria-based Saphium Biotechnology has released what they are calling “PHAbulous Philaments”, a line of plant-based PHA 3D printing filaments that include none of the toxic additives that are commonly found in other 3D printing filament materials.
The team behind Saphium Biotechnology is made up of a group of good friends who attended the University of Graz and all share a passion of 3D printing and biology - so the decision to create a plant-based filament only seems natural.
According to the company, their filament is the first filament that is able to biodegrade within two months after being planted in soil. In addition to breaking down quickly and easily, the material even fertilizes soil, too.
Of course, being able to decompose within 60 days is one thing, but being able to hold up as a durable 3D printing filament for reliably creating physical objects is another. The team claims that the properties of their raw material are different, but it still holds up as a viable 3d printing material option.
Among other properties of the material include a low melting temperature (145°C-150°C), a glass transition temperature below 0°C (which offers a more flexible material) as well as water-resistant and UV-resistant durability.
“Plastic got a bad reputation in the last years and the main reasons were toxic additives like Bisphenol A (BPA),” explains the team.
“PHAbulous Philaments do not require any poisonous chemicals added due to our new production approach. Once the PHA leaves the microbes, it is perfectly fit for use. No need for poisonous chemicals. If you bury these PHAbulous Philaments in soil, they will degrade within 60 days in your compost pile at home or on the bottom of the sea! Soil microbes are eager for PHA and will feast on it – and improve and fertilize any soil.”
To produce the raw material for creating the filament, the team harvests microbes in big steel tanks using hydrogen which is generated with photovoltaic plants and carbon dioxide.
“Our filament is made from poly-hydroxy-alkanoates (PHA), a compound naturally occurring in microbes,” explains the team. “They tend to accumulate these PHA as energy storage molecules, when they endure periods of stress. We optimize the conditions for this microbes to produce the perfect PHA composition for an all-natural 3D printer filament.”
Although the team is still currently refining their recipe, they are aiming to start production on the filament within the next year - starting with a Kickstarter campaign.
For those interested in backing the campaign, rewards include PHAbulous Philament spools, biodegradable pens, posters and t-shirts a even the option to have your name written in the DNA of the company’s microbe and the protein structure will be printed.
“Our natural plastics can also be used as a common packaging material,” add the team.
“We want to remind the world that we also have to consider the topic of nature. We are bringing back the love to plastics!”
Posted in 3D Printing Materials
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