Asahi Kasei and Aquafil have collaborated on the development of a new material for 3D printing based on Econyl chemically recycled polyamide 6 (PA6) and Asahi Kasei’s cellulose nanofibres (CNFs).

With the support of Itochu Corporation, which has made a capital investment in Arco, Italy-headquartered Aquafil, pellets and filaments of the new compound have been developed which are said to achieve superior formability and strength compared to existing materials, making them suitable for use in automotive and aerospace applications.

Econyl is a chemically recycled PA6 derived from post and pre-consumer waste, including fishing nets and old carpets which are depolymerized into monomers and then re-polymerized.

CNF is made from cotton linter and features a high heat resistance and network-forming ability, while also having superior material recyclability compared to glass fibre.

Asahi Kasei plans to begin trial sales of the new compound in filament form in the EU, US, and Japan in the third quarter of  2025 and will showcase it at the upcoming Fakuma in Friedrichshafen, Germany from  October 15-19 and at Japan’s  Sustainable Material Expo from October 29-31.

www.asahi-kasei.eu