As the world's demand for sustainable petroleum-based bio-based alternatives continues to decline, the 3D printing market has begun to demand higher-performing, sustainable carpet materials. Recently, NatureWorks, a global bioplastics manufacturer, announced the initiation of multiple technology projects. It will install lactide monomer purification technology equipment through its plant in Nebraska, providing 10% availability for the company’s Ingeo PLA biomaterial product portfolio Promote.
Ingeo is the official brand name of PLA produced by NatureWorks. The basis of the biomaterial is Ingeo polylactic acid, which is made from plants that are renewable every year (such as corn) and is used to convert greenhouse gases into long-chain sugar molecules. From here, glucose derived from plant sugar molecules is fermented and then turned into lactide. The lactide monomers are then combined to form Ingeo polylactic acid polymer.
NatureWorks has produced a series of Ingeo grades specifically designed for PLA filaments for the 3D printing market. The company has also created its own in-house printing laboratory so that it can quickly test new Ingeo formulations and work with 3D printers and filament manufacturers. In 2015, NatureWorks announced a plan to support the development of the 3D printing field, providing a new Ingeo3D850 polymer to provide good processability in terms of filament production, consistency and quality.
Recently, the company introduced Ingeo 3D450, which is a decomposable PLA material for double extrusion 3D printers. The biological material is designed to provide high-quality finished products while reducing post-processing time. NatureWorks' Ingeo is used by companies such as US filament manufacturer 3D-Fuel, which maintains its environmental footprint by using biomaterials for most products.
Last year, NatureWorks announced that by 2020, 100% of the agricultural raw materials used in Ingeo biomaterials at its Nebraska plant will be certified as "environmentally and socially sustainable" through the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification System (ISCC) . The company also promised that by 2025, it will conduct “sustainable and responsible management” certification for all new raw materials used to increase production capacity through an independent third party.