GEHR, a global producer of thermoplastic semi-finished products, has unveiled a new wood-based filament for professional 3D printing. The filament, called Eco-Fil-A-Gehr, is compostable, recyclable, and offers high dimensional stability and elastic properties. Developed in partnership with Sulapac, Eco-Fil-A-Gehr consists of recycled wood fibers mixed with biodegradable biopolymers, providing a natural look and feel to printed objects.
GEHR’s Eco-Fil-A-Gehr filament is suitable for printing both robust and stable parts, as well as light and highly detailed objects. The material is industrially compostable, containing 72% USDA certified bio-based content and leaving no permanent microplastic or toxic load behind. It also meets the requirements for food contact materials set by the EU and U.S. FDA.
Field tests have demonstrated that Sulapac materials, including Eco-Fil-A-Gehr, can be collected and sorted from mixed waste streams without hindering the mechanical recycling of other plastics. Additionally, the material has been shown to be mechanically recyclable up to six times and can be chemically recycled through hydrolysis back to monomers, suitable as feedstock for recycled biopolymers.
Eco-Fil-A-Gehr offers a visually appealing natural appearance and emits a pleasant subtle odor due to the wood content. It exhibits exceptional dimensional stability and high elastic properties, outperforming other wood filaments or PLA materials. With a deviation of less than 0.005 mm in width during production, the filament ensures smooth and stable quality.
The initial customers for Eco-Fil-A-Gehr are expected to be cosmetic brands already familiar with Sulapac materials, particularly for prototyping purposes. GEHR also envisions applications in decorative components and point-of-sale displays.
The wood-based filament is available for purchase through GEHR’s online store, catering to both businesses and private customers.
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