The emergence of PA 12, Nylon and ULTEM in the top 10 most used materials section of the latest 3DHubs trends report clearly demonstrates a growing demand for high performance, engineering materials in FDM 3D printing. 

Polycarbonate (PC) filament is already established in the 3D printing market, due to it being strong, durable, and tough material. However, there are concerns about its’ long-term impacts.

There is a potential that certain types of polycarbonate could be hazardous due to the release of Bisphenol A (BPA). This compound is a widely used in polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins; however there is a great concern about its’ toxicity to humans and other wildlife. Research has linked exposure to fertility problems, heart disease and other conditions. In March 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a “chemical action plan” – listing BPA as a chemical of concern that may present an unreasonable risk to certain aquatic species.

In addition to the health and environmental issues, PC can be difficult to print with. Issues include moisture (PC is very hygroscopic and will absorb moisture from the air) and warping (tends to warp more than other materials such as ABS or PLA). Due to these issues, polycarbonate can typically only be printed successfully on enclosed printers with a heated chamber.

As an ethical brand, committed to social and environmental sustainability, we want to ensure that we are innovating and meeting the demands of 3D printing, without compromising on health, safety and wellbeing. We’ve been working hard with industry partners to develop a high performance engineering filament, without the issues of existing materials.

The result of our research and development is bioPC. Featuring heat resistance in excess of 100°C, superior chemical resistance and unrivalled impact resistance, this is the perfect material for industrial applications. Our BPA-free formula ensures it is safe to people and also the planet, and the fact you can print it on an open machine ensures excellent printability. Overall, an innovative engineering filament that is earth-friendly, human friendly and printer-friendly.

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