Amolen debuts innovative glow-in-the-dark and ultra-clear TPU filaments, merging advanced material science with functional 3D printing solutions.
At RAPID + TCT 2025, materials specialist Amolen unveiled two industry-first TPU filaments that blur the line between technical performance and creative possibility. The Glow-in-the-Dark and Transparent Series represent the latest evolution of the company’s S-Series platform – and a calculated move to dominate the growing market for application-specific additive manufacturing materials.
Light as a Feature, Not an Afterthought
The glow filament isn’t your typical novelty plastic. Amolen’s formulation uses a proprietary UV-reactive compound that transforms ambient light into sustained luminosity. Rigorously tested at the company’s Asian R&D facility, the material achieves consistent glow cycles without phosphorescent additives that degrade over time.
“This is functional photoluminescence,” explains Amolen’s head of material development. “We’re seeing immediate interest from automotive designers for interior lighting components and from safety gear manufacturers for high-visibility elements that don’t require power.”
Engineering Transparency That Lasts
While glow filaments attract attention, the Transparent TPU solves real industrial problems. Traditional clear elastomers typically yellow or craze under stress, but Amolen’s version maintains 90% light transmission after 1,000+ flex cycles (per ASTM D1003 testing). The secret lies in a stabilized polymer matrix that resists both UV degradation and stress whitening.
Medical device manufacturers are already prototyping fluid-resistant seals and flexible sight glasses, while lighting designers are experimenting with impact-resistant diffusers that can withstand drops from 2 meters.
Precision by Design
Both filaments leverage Amolen’s strict virgin material policy and ±0.03mm diameter tolerance – critical specs for industrial users running high-throughput printers. The company’s quality control protocols ensure batch-to-batch consistency that’s become table stakes in sectors like automotive and medical tech.
“Consistency isn’t just about avoiding clogs,” notes a production engineer at a major 3D printing service bureau. “When you’re running 100+ identical parts, material variations can throw off everything from dimensional accuracy to post-processing results.”
The Industrial Material Shift
Amolen’s launch comes as the filament market bifurcates between hobbyist-grade products and true industrial solutions. With certifications including REACH and RoHS, these TPUs are positioned for professional environments where material traceability matters as much as performance.
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Priced at $44.99-$49.99/kg and available exclusively through Amolen’s webstore, the filaments target a sweet spot between specialty polymers and mass-market offerings. It’s a strategy that mirrors how industrial 3D printing has transformed sectors from motorsports to aerospace – by delivering not just prototypes, but end-use parts that outperform traditional alternatives.
As one early adopter at a product design firm puts it: “We’re not just printing shapes anymore. We’re printing functionality.”
