Advanced Laser Materials (ALM), an EOS company and materials developer for industrial 3D printing, has released a carbon neutral certified polymer materials line, starting with PA 820 MF CN – a mineral-filled bio-circular polyamide 11 material, and PA 802 CF CN – a carbon fiber-filled bio-circular polyamide 11, for high performance and certified as carbon neutral. The polyamide 11 base material, produced by Arkema and then customized by ALM for AM, is another step in EOS’ commitment to responsible manufacturing and sustainability.
To certify its materials as carbon neutral, ALM conducted a full lifecycle analysis (LCA) study of the material from sourcing to production to customer delivery in both the U.S. and Europe, which was then certified by TÜV SÜD according to the PAS2060 standard that sets the requirements for carbon-neutral products. In addition to base material polyamide 11 being bio-based, ALM took additional steps to further off-set ancillary carbon generation, including installation of solar panels on ALM’s Texas headquarters, and is investing in Gold standard carbon credits from a MyClimate solar project in Ethiopia.
“Many companies are trying to change their processes to become more sustainable. ALM is leading by changing our entire approach to a more sustainable manufacturing and introducing sustainability as more than a concept,” said Moritz Kugler, vice president, polymer materials at EOS. “ALM’s PA 820 MF CN and PA 802 CF CN are the first polymer material offerings in our sustainability journey. Moving forward, we will also focus on new waste management, mobility and industrial innovation processes to reinvent the global supply chain.”
Developed in partnership with Arkema, the carbon-neutral grades offer high impact resistance. The tightly controlled particle size distribution creates a smooth surface finish and excellent feature detail. Expected applications include lifestyle and automotive production.
The two ALM carbon-neutral materials can be processed on most selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printers, including the latest printers from EOS as well as all other SLS-based OEMs.
Additive Manufacturing (AM) plays an important role in overcoming the limitations of current manufacturing techniques that are restrictive, wasteful and inefficient. AM has many inherent benefits that contribute to sustainability, and EOS – and all of its companies – are committed to playing a significant role in fundamentally challenging and changing traditional manufacturing through industrial 3D printing.
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