Researchers from Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya—BarcelonaTech (UPC) and the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) have developed new polymeric resins derived from plant-based materials that could significantly reduce the additive manufacturing industry’s dependence on fossil fuel-based inputs.
The newly developed 3D polymeric resins utilize monomers obtained from several natural sources, including succinic acid—a compound found in foods such as corn and broccoli—malic acid, and tartaric acid. These biodegradable starting materials require only a single synthesis step to be converted into functional resins compatible with standard 3D printing technologies.
According to the research team, these materials are specifically formulated for digital light processing (DLP) and stereolithography (SLA) printing methods. For practical industrial application in light-based 3D Printing, resins must meet several technical requirements:
- Remain in liquid form
- Contain no solvents
- Feature rapid polymerization kinetics
These technical specifications have been successfully incorporated into the plant-based formulation, making the resins viable alternatives to conventional petroleum-derived options.
Two-Stage Research Methodology
The team employed a methodical approach to developing the sustainable resins:
- Initial Formulation Phase: Led by Elaine Armelin, a researcher in the Innovation in Materials and Molecular Engineering – Biomaterials for Regenerative Therapies (IMEM-BRT) group and professor at the Barcelona East School of Engineering (EEBE), this stage focused on creating the polymeric resin using plant-based materials.
- Production Testing Phase: The ICIQ’s Knowledge and Technology Transfer (ICIQ-KTT) and Industrial Projects team, under the supervision of researcher Fernando Bravo, conducted practical printing tests with the formulated resin.
This collaborative approach between the two institutions allowed for theoretical development and practical validation of the new materials.
Role in the Base-3D Project Ecosystem
The development forms part of the Base-3D project, which CIM UPC leads. This initiative aims to advance additive manufacturing technologies by:
- Driving technological maturity in the sector
- Promoting wider adoption of 3D Printing across Catalonia
- Developing more sustainable material alternatives
According to the research team, this represents the second type of polymeric resin developed by ICIQ and UPC within the Base-3D project through the Light3D cluster led by the LEITAT Technological Centre. The first was a biodegradable polymer that demonstrated excellent performance with DLP printing technology.
Expanding Sustainable Materials Research
Beyond these polymeric resins, the IMEM-BRT research group is also investigating soft biopolymers such as:
- Alginate
- Chitosan
- Gelatin
These materials are being studied as sustainable superabsorbent compounds with potential applications in the following areas:
- Soil enhancement
- Battery technology
- Polyelectrolytes for desalination cells
This broader research agenda highlights the growing interest in developing versatile biopolymers that can reduce environmental impact across multiple industries.
Technical Implications for 3D Printing
The 3D printing industry actively seeks materials from renewable resources to support more sustainable manufacturing practices. This development responds directly to that need by creating viable alternatives to fossil-based resins.
The successful formulation of these plant-derived resins demonstrates that sustainable materials can meet the stringent technical requirements of modern additive manufacturing processes. If these materials perform well in industrial settings, they could help reduce the carbon footprint associated with 3D printing operations.
The efficiency of the single-step synthesis process is particularly noteworthy from a manufacturing perspective, as it suggests potential cost advantages compared to more complex production methods. This could make sustainable resins more economically competitive with conventional alternatives.
Future Outlook
The findings from this research have been published in the journal RSC Applied Polymers, providing technical validation for the approach. If further testing confirms the industrial viability of these resins, the technology could contribute to making additive manufacturing more environmentally sustainable.
Developing these plant-based resins represents a crucial technical advancement in creating more sustainable materials for 3D printing applications. As the industry grows, innovations like these will be essential in reducing its environmental impact while maintaining or improving performance characteristics.
As with any new material technology, widespread adoption will depend on cost, performance, compatibility with existing equipment, and regulatory considerations. If these materials meet these requirements, they could help transform additive manufacturing into a more sustainable production method.
TLDR:
- Researchers from UPC and ICIQ have developed 3D printing resins from plant-based materials, including succinic acid
- The polymeric resins require only a single synthesis step to become functional
- These materials are compatible with DLP and SLA printing technologies
- The development is part of the Base-3D project advancing sustainable additive manufacturing
- This is the second sustainable resin developed by the team; the first was a biodegradable polymer
