NatureWorks said it has unveiled a new initiative to support the growth of the additive manufacturing market and its move to support the 3D market comprehensively, is based on a three pronged approach.
“It includes the introduction of an entirely new series of Ingeo grades designed specifically for PLA filament for the 3D printing market,” a press release from NatureWorks said.
Additionally, it offers a full suite of technical support services for the additive manufacturing industry’s leading 3D printer and filament producers.
NatureWorks has also set up an in-house print lab, enabling the company to rapidly test new Ingeo formulations and collaborate with printer and filament producers.
NatureWorks is a PLA supplier with more than 20 different Ingeo grades, expertise with numerous specialised formulations, and more than a decade of world-scale production experience.
“In the 3D printing market, and particularly for desktop users, PLA filament has become a material of first choice in printing,” NatureWorks informed.
The material’s low polymer thermal shrinkage allows high resolution printing for part accuracy and avoids warping of parts.
“Strong polymer fusing performance makes PLA easy to use and enhances performance and a relatively low melt point, enables safe lower temperature printing and very low emissions,” it added.
For the past 18 months, NatureWorks said it has engaged directly with 3D filament suppliers, printer manufacturers, and print operators to obtain first hand feedback on the needs of the 3D printing market.
“3D printing has the rapid pace of innovation, development, and change that is normal to a new and still nascent market,” said Dan Sawyer, global leader, New Business Segment, NatureWorks.
“Many new suppliers are entering the PLA filament market, while a breadth of experienced suppliers large and small are formulating and compounding to provide additional filament properties and options,” he added.
“That’s the sort of innovation that NatureWorks is aggressively moving to support and amplify with our new broad-based initiative,” Sawyer noted.
With the launch of its initiative, NatureWorks is immediately offering the first grade in its new Ingeo 3D series.
Denoted Ingeo 3D850, this base 3D grade takes advantage of the latest Ingeo polymer chemistries to provide a good overall balance of processability in filament production, filament consistency, and print quality.
It is also designed to provide optimum performance for those looking to enhance the properties of PLA through further formulation and compounding to extend part properties beyond what base PLA grades provide.
NatureWorks has been working on the next offering in its new Ingeo 3D series with extended-property-range Ingeo 3D resin formulations.
PLA filament produced from new higher heat and toughness Ingeo formulations are now being tested in NatureWorks’ newly established in-house print lab, with market introduction targeted for later in the year.
