Page 33 - Plastics News February 2025
P. 33
FEATURE NEWS
USD 1.4 billion in investments from 2022 to 2026. Modern technologies and strict regulations are
driving the global shift towards sustainable poly-
In Europe, the European Union’s Circular Econ- mer waste management. Companies are adopt-
omy Action Plan focuses on making all plastic ing recycling methods, while governments are
packaging recyclable or reusable by 2030. Reg- enforcing policies that encourage environmental
ulations require plastic bottles to contain at least responsibility. This combination of efforts con-
25% recycled plastic by 2025, increasing to 30% tributes to the reduction of plastic waste.
by 2030.
Source – Plastics Engineering
3D Printing with
Recycled Materials
sing recycled plastics in 3D printing re- advantages in rapid prototyping, customization,
duces waste and carbon footprint, of- and cost-effectiveness. It enables the creation
Ufering sustainable solutions such as of complex shapes, minimizes material waste,
filaments made from pre-and post-consumer re- and accelerates time to market.
cycled materials.
Manufacturers utilize various materials such as
3D printing technology has become increasing- plastics, metals, ceramics, and biomaterials, each
ly significant in product development due to its offering unique benefits. Acrylonitrile butadiene
styrene (ABS) is the most widely used plastic
for 3D printing due to its strength, durability,
and flexibility. People recognize PET as another
popular material, known for its strength, dura-
bility, and low warping during printing. Manufac-
turers commonly use other polymers like poly-
carbonate (PC) and polypropylene (PP) for this
purpose. Researchers have proposed PLA as a
material for 3D printing because it comes from
renewable sources. However, most manufac-
turers do not use the recycled materials in this
technology. This raises concerns about environ-
mental impact, especially when people generate
waste or single-use parts. As a result, the use
of recycled materials for 3D printing enables the
reduction of virgin material consumption.
February 2025 PLASTICS NEWS 33
