Mexico-based company MANUFACTURA is leading “The Eggshell Project”, which turns organic waste (specifically used eggshells) into bioceramic bricks with the help of additive manufacturing.
You can see the bricks that used to be eggs in the image below.
The process uses a KUKA KR-150 robotic arm to print the bioceramic, which is then combined with sustainable additives to create building blocks with various geometries. The sustainable material aims to reduce food waste in Mexico and the environmental impact of ceramic production.
Circular
The raw material was acquired through the donation of waste from different restaurants in Mexico, making the production process 100% sustainable and circular.
The eggshell brick wall is made up of 105 different blocks and the eggshell column is made up of 26 parts that support each other, providing stability through their shape. The project combines computational design with technology, digital fabrication, and materials advancement to convert waste and raise awareness.
MANUFACTURING seeks to establish circular systems of production and life while creating new employment opportunities. This project highlights the possibilities of sustainable 3D printing technology, which can be used to create eco-friendly building materials.
Speaking of which, this isn’t the first time we’ve reported on the use of egg-based materials in additive manufacturing. In September of last year, we covered a print house in Spain that was using egg whites to formulate a waterproof coating.
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