Mar 21, 2017 | By Tess

Los Angeles-based 3D printing filament manufacturer 3D Printlife has launched a Kickstarter campaign for its new eco-friendly PETG filament. The company, which already offers eco-friendly ABS and PLA filaments, is hoping to bring its innovative bio-degradable BioPETG filament to market in 12 to 18 different colors. Launched earlier today, 3D Printlife’s Kickstarter campaign is seeking to raise $20,000 for the high quality, environmentally friendly PETG filament.

3D Printlife has dedicated itself to the creation of eco-friendly 3D printing filaments. The company, which currently offers US-made Enviro ABS, PLAyPHAb PLA/PHA, and Pure PLA, is hoping to expand its product selection with the addition of BioPETG, the first biodegradable PETG.

PETG, also known as copolyester, is a material made of PET and glycol, a compound that adds flexibility and durability to the material, qualities that are important when 3D printing. One of the most common plastics, as well as one of the easiest to recycle, PETG has, up until now, remained un-biodegradable.

Thanks to 3D Printlife’s innovative filament making process, which involves adding a proprietary, biological additive to the PETG, they have found a way to make it biodegradable. As the company explains, “This additive is specially formulated to bond with PETG and provide a food source for the bacteria found in both commercial composts and landfill to energy facilities.”

If you’re wondering whether this means the filament will begin to degrade on the spool or once it’s been printed, 3D Printlife assures that the biodegradation should only occur when the plastic is in a compost or landfill facility, where the harsh bacteria needed to consume the BioPETG exists.

From a 3D printing perspective, the BioPETG filament, which 3D Printlife has tested extensively, offers users high impact resistance, durability, strength, good layer adhesion, and low shrinkage. Additionally, the company says its material is largely odorless when melted, as PETG has a high temperature and chemical resistance. The L.A.-based company has provided some print settings that should optimize the filament, which include:

  • Nozzle temperature: between 235°C and 250°C.
  • Cooling fan at 100%
  • Print speed: 55mm/sec or less
  • Start with an additional .2mm gap in the Z axis to reduce risk of skimming

3D Printlife biodegradable testing

In addition to offering eco-friendly filaments, 3D Printlife also ensures that its filaments are packaged in an environmentally conscious way. This means that its filaments are wound around 100% recycled and biodegradable cardboard spools, and secured with a recyclable tin cap. The spool is designed to fit most 3D printers, and features a cutout for viewing the filament and puncture slots for securing it.

As mentioned, 3D Printlife has just launched a crowdfunding campaign for its BioPETG filament, the funds from which will help to produce a range of 12 to 18 different colors in both 1.75mm and 2.85mm diameters. Backers can choose from a broad range of rewards, including a small 100 g spool of BioPETG for $10, a 500 g spool for $30, a 750 g spool for $37, and many more. If the Kickstarter is a success, backers can expect to see their rewards shipped out as of August 2017.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Materials

 

 

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