NatureWorks, a leading manufacturer of polylactic acid (PLA) biopolymers, has partnered with Jabil Inc., a global provider of manufacturing solutions, to introduce a new PLA-based powder formulation from Ingeo for powder bed fusion technologies, including selective laser sintering (SLS). printer platforms.
Marketed as Jabil PLA 3110P, this innovative product offers a cost-effective option with a lower sintering temperature and an impressive 89% lower carbon footprint compared to current PA-12 powder.
Ingeo PLA is derived entirely from annually renewable resources, making it a sustainable alternative to petrochemical powders. The collaboration between NatureWorks and Jabil brings together NatureWorks’ expertise in performance biomaterials and Jabil’s leadership in product design and development, resulting in the development of a powder that offers cost savings and environmental benefits.
precise powder
The advantages of SLS, such as increased throughput, precision, and design freedom, make it the preferred 3D printing method. Ingeo’s PLA-based powder enables the creation of custom precision geometries required for thermoforming and compression molds. Additionally, its significantly lower sintering temperature translates into energy savings and faster start-up, addressing power consumption challenges associated with SLS systems.
“Jabil is excited to work with NatureWorks to drive adoption of Jabil PLA 3110P, as well as other highly engineered, graded materials that provide value-added attributes while reducing environmental impact,” said Luke Rodgers, senior director of R&D. D for additive manufacturing at Jabil. .
“Our continued collaboration will allow us to drive the additive manufacturing industry forward with more sustainable material options for a wide range of customer requirements.”
carbon capture
NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer materials are derived from plant sugars, enabling them to capture and sequester atmospheric CO2. The fermentation of these sugars produces lactic acid, which is used to create a range of high-performance materials with a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to petrochemical polymers.
The availability of Jabil PLA 3110P powder made with Ingeo for SLS 3D printing can be accessed directly from Jabil through their sampling program. This collaboration between NatureWorks and Jabil represents a significant step forward in advancing the additive manufacturing industry with more sustainable material options to meet diverse customer requirements.
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