Technological watch

Braskem launches a portfolio of exclusive products for the additive manufacturing segment, popularly known as 3D printing, which is experiencing robust growth in Brazil.
Braskem’s Solutions for Better Recyclability
Braskem's solutions made from polypropylene (PP) have proved attractive and ideal for additive manufacturing, given the recyclability, impact strength and dimensional stability of the raw material, which features the capacity to make durable hinges and lower density than other types of plastics. PP for 3D printing can be found in the form of pellets and filaments, both of which are produced in Brazil, and powder, which is imported from the United States. The products also can be used in both industrial and desktop 3D printers.
PP Filaments for Selective Laser Sintering Process
Braskem's PP filaments, which are available in 1.75 mm and 2.85 mm diameters, were developed with the user in mind and deliver a better balance of mechanical properties, dimensional stability and printing performance. Developed for the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) process that uses a laser to synthesize polymer powder, polypropylene powder is the result of a partnership with Advanced Laser Materials (ALM), a subsidiary of EOS North America.
The material is recognized for its mechanical performance, dimensional stability of printed parts and high reuse rates of the remaining printing powder at the end of each cycle. Meanwhile, PP pellets were developed in collaboration with Titan Robotics with a focus on ATLASTM, an innovative platform for pellet extrusion on an industrial scale.
The products in the form of filaments and pellets for direct use with 3D printers can be acquired directly from Braskem, while powder products are marketed globally by Advanced Laser Materials (ALM). Braskem's PP filaments also are marketed by 2M3D, Braskem's official distributor of 3D printing filaments for South America.
Sustainable Zero Waste Process
For Braskem's manager of innovation & technology for additive manufacturing, Fabio Lamon, the company's new portfolio makes 3D printing processes in Brazil even more sustainable. "Additive manufacturing is by nature a zero-waste process, since it consists of the fabrication of a three-dimensional piece via the addition of layers of raw material based on a digital 3D file, which results in total design freedom and eliminates the losses and waste common to the various traditional production processes. Remember that the developed for this application can be recycled just like the other thermoplastic resins produced by Braskem and used in other conversion processes, which reinforces our commitment to sustainability and the circular economy," Lamon said.
"As the largest thermoplastic resin producer in the Americas, Braskem is always advancing and improving its portfolio to meet the needs of our clients. The launch of a 3D printing portfolio is another step in our evolution. We are excited about the performance of our polypropylene compared with the other materials available in the market, and believe that its availability in pellet, filament and powder form helps further increase the enormous potential we see in the global 3D printing market," said Jason Vagnozzi, Braskem's commercial director of additive manufacturing.