In recent years the ingenious technology of 3D printing evolved rapidly – but the topics of waste prevention and natural plastics did not evolve at the same speed.
On this account Saphium Biotechnology produces “PHAbulous Philaments”, a 3D printing filament which inherits no toxic additives. It is produced environmentally friendly, is completely compostable in soil and manufactured with natural colours only. Our filaments consist of pure PHA and so failed prints can be used as a fertilizer in your own backyard because our filaments degrade within 60 days by bacteria in your soil. Our product will be one of the first generations of pure PHA filaments on the market.
We produce our raw materials on our own with a small microbe in big steel tanks. We only need hydrogen, which is generated with photovoltaic plants and the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide to feed our little helpers.
In this process we are decreasing cost-effective the double amount of carbon dioxide emissions for every kg of PHAbulous Philaments produced and are independent of arable soil. At the moment we are at the point were we start with prototype development, but we aim to start our production in the upcoming year.
The properties of our product:
All-natural
Our filaments are made from poly-hydroxy-alkanoates (PHA), a compound naturally occurring in microbes. They tend to accumulate these PHA as energy storage molecules, when they endure periods of stress and starvation. We optimise the conditions for this microbes to produce the perfect PHA composition for a 3D printer filament. All-natural.
No toxic additives
Plastic got a bad reputation in the last years and the main reasons were toxic additives like Bisphenol A (BPA). PHAbulous Philaments do not require any poisonous chemicals added due to our new production approach. Once the PHA leaves the microbes, it is perfectly fit for use. No need for poisonous chemicals.
Compostable
As our raw material naturally occurs in soil microbes, it is also degraded by them. If you bury these PHAbulous Philaments in soil, they will degrade within 60 days in your compost pile at home or on the bottom of the sea! Soil microbes are eager for PHA and will feast on it – and improve and fertilize any soil.
Water resistant and UV stable
PHAbulous Philaments are water resistant and do not alter their appearance when exposed to sunlight.
No agricultural land needed and CO2 neutral
Employment of large quantities of resources is not needed! We save space for crops that can be used for food production. We feed our microbes on carbon dioxide and hydrogen generated by the sun and they degrade to carbon dioxide – a life cycle without any drawbacks or additional production of greenhouse gases. No need for pollution!
Printing properties
The properties of our raw material are different.
• A lower melting temperature (145°C-150°C)
• A glass transition temperature below 0°C offers a more flexible material
• Water and UV resistant
Our team, Saphium Biotechnology, is a well positioned-team with a background in biology, microbiology, genetics, marketing and sales. We know each other from the university of Graz and are not just working together but are good friends. At the beginning of 2015 we decided to participate in IndieBio, an accelerator for synthetic biology.
Our kickstarter compaign will be launched in the next few days. Our rewards include biodegradable pens, posters and t-shirts with the life cycle on it, our PHAbulous Philament spools and a 3D printed catapult to fight plastic waste! The most gorgeous reward is the name of the backer written in the DNA of our microbe and the protein structure will be printed.
As soon as possible we want to finish our first prototype of the PHAbulous Philaments of our first product. Our natural plastics can also be used as a common packaging material. We want to remind the world that we also have to consider the topic of nature. We are bringing back the love to plastics!
Distributed by CrowdfundingPR
Media Contact
Company Name: Saphium Biotechnology
Contact Person: PHAbulous Philaments
Email: office@saphium.eu
Country: Australia
Website: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/phabulousphilaments/phabulous-philaments-3d-printing-natural-an
