Advanced Laser Materials (ALM) has announced the launch of a carbon neutral certified polymer materials line that will support further AM applications.
This EOS company is a developer of materials that worked with other material producers in the industry to increase access to a wide range of materials. Described as an “industry first”, its new line starts with PA 802 MF CN – a mineral-filled bio-circular polyamide 11 material, and PA 820 CF CN – a carbon fiber filled bio-circular polyamide 11, optimized for high performance and certified as carbon neutral.
Both 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.
It should be noted that the polyamide 11 base material is developed by chemical company Arkema. ALM has thereafter customized it so that it fits AM production.
“Arkema is a pioneering innovator in advanced materials derived from sustainably sourced renewable castor beans grown in India,” said Adrien Lapeyre, global business director for Arkema’s high performance polymers business. “For many years, Arkema has led the charge in bio-circular materials in the 3D printing market. Our recent acquisition of Agiplast, a leader in specialty polymer recycling now opens the door to the next chapter, and we are sure that ALM will play a critical role in our success story.”
Furthermore, to certify these materials as carbon neutral, ALM explains that it 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.
EOS and its subsidiaries are currently making LCA a recurrent method to quantify their sustainability strategy. An analysis has been conducted recently with the eyewear brand YOU MAWO. However, while no figures have been shared regarding the results of this LCA analysis, ALM adds it 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 802 MF CN and PA 820 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.”
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