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The Customer: About Plastics App™
In developing plastics-related solutions and technologies, Plastics App™ has one mission: to use its relevant academic background and vast industrial experience and expertise to lead the way in innovation in the field of plastics and polymers. As an independent service provider of top-notch plastic technologies, the company is deeply committed to creating superior solutions that address both its customer needs and the market environment.
Involved in the field of 3D printing for many years, Plastics App™ produces a broad range of high-performance 3D filaments, including sustainable specialty products. To support its sustainability goals and create value for both start-ups and established companies, the Israeli-based company has partnered with UBQ Materials to create two first-of-their-kind filaments that result in a low carbon footprint printing material for use in functional parts. 3D printing is already a more sustainable manufacturing technique that enables less energy and raw material usage than traditional manufacturing processes – this partnership sought to raise the bar by pairing a further reduced carbon footprint with the added value of functionality.
Dr. Yanir Shaked, Founder & General Manager of Plastics App™, says, “Combining our end-to-end filament development capabilities with UBQ’s climate-positive material has opened sustainable opportunities where fully functional prototyping is an essential part of both R&D and small-scale production. He firmly believes Plastics App’s partnership with UBQ will help manufacturers who use 3D printing meet their own sustainability goals without compromising on performance and product functionality.
The Discovery
Plastics App™ has a wide range of expertise in recycling, green plastics technology, bio-plastics, plastics in agriculture and water applications, automotive, defense and aerospace, and medical device plastics. It is globally recognized for its vast experience in reactive extrusion and innovative 3D printing technologies, including thermoplastic composites and continuous fibers’ reinforcement.
As plastic waste has become one of the leading environmental issues of our time, the drive to use technology to reduce such waste has become more apparent than ever before. To achieve true sustainability and address environmental challenges, every stage of a product’s life cycle must play a role in improving waste management to effectively address climate change.
Today, the 3D printing market is experiencing significant growth. Printable filaments can be made from a variety of thermoplastic materials, including those that have been upcycled. The benefits of Plastics App™ and UBQ Materials teaming up were obvious. By incorporating UBQ™, an innovative thermoplastic material, into their 3D processes, manufacturers can minimize previous detrimental impacts on the environment.
The Process
The filaments used in 3D printing are primarily thermoplastics. When Plastics App™ and UBQ Materials agreed to collaborate, the goal was to launch a novel filament with a significantly reduced carbon footprint to enable sustainable and eco-conscious manufacturing of materials such as automotive components, various types of packaging, everyday household goods, toys, and more.
Plastics App™ intends to integrate UBQ™ into multiple types of carbon reduced sustainable filaments:
- Perform QCF has carbon fibers and is a reinforced UBQ™/Polypropylene-based filament suitable for demanding applications. It, too, is available either on virgin PP or PCR PP carriers.
- Perform Q, a high-performing UBQ™/Polypropylene filament suitable for standard applications and is available either on virgin PP or PCR PP carriers.
Both filaments have excellent chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties.
The Results
An extraordinary and sustainable alternative plastic material, UBQ™ is the ideal substitute for materials like concrete, plastic, wood, and metal. Completely recyclable and entirely made of waste, it reduces harmful GHG emissions and helps manufacturers in various industries and sectors reduce their environmental footprint.
“By introducing 3D-printing filaments to the market, UBQ is once again able to test its limits and go beyond the boundaries of traditional plastic manufacturing techniques,” says Tato Bigio, co-founder and CEO of UBQ Materials. He believes UBQ™’s versatile applications allow for its incorporation into a wide range of products, allowing manufacturers to decrease emissions and prevent landfill buildup. Bigio is certain UBQ’s partnership with Plastics App™ will expand the scope of companies to refine their 3D processes and reduce their energy use.”
Whenever an innovative technology appears that uses petroleum-based plastics, there’s considerable concern over the damage that can occur to our already struggling planet. The good news is that companies using 3D printing in their manufacturing processes are facing this issue head-on from the earliest stages of development. It is now possible for companies to stay earth-conscious while developing and producing newer, cleaner, and even more sustainable 3D printing solutions.
One of UBQ Materials’ greatest competitive advantages is its ability to bring manufacturers a net-zero, climate-positive impact. As the UBQ process uses relatively small amounts of energy and adds no production waste, effluents, or water use, it also beautifully aligns with Plastics App’s own sustainability goals. The climate-positive material offers one of the most sustainable solutions to polymer waste on the market today. It’s an innovative solution that supports the environment and the long-term growth and prosperity of the companies that use it.
Visit full press release.
