Scientists create sustainable 3D printing resins from plant-derived materials to reduce environmental impact.
Researchers from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC) and the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) have developed novel polymeric resins for 3D printing from plants it is expected to lessen the impact of the industry’s dependence on fossil fuels. Their work, which is published in RSC Applied Polymers, uses natural constituents such as succinic acid which can be found in corn and broccoli to manufacture resins that work with DLP and SLA printers and are solvent-free with rapid self-hardening capabilities.
Under the leadership of UPC researcher Elaine Armelin and ICIQ’s Fernando Bravo, the project synthesized sustainable additve manufacturing resins from renewable monomers in a single-step process. The new resins, formulated from succinic, malic, and tartaric acids, strive to supplant petroleum-derived ones without losing their usefulness in the industry.
This work is part of the BASE-3D initiative, supported by Catalonia’s government and the European Regional Development Fund, which seeks to advance eco-friendly 3D printing technologies for industrial and educational applications. The team previously developed a biodegradable polymer for DLP printing, demonstrating consistent progress in green material innovation.
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Researchers are also exploring biopolymers like alginate and gelatin for applications in batteries, soil management, and desalination. With fossil fuel dependency under global scrutiny, UPC and ICIQ’s breakthroughs position plant-based resins as critical to a sustainable manufacturing future.
