UPM and Carbodeon Developing Cellulose and Nanodiamond Materials for 3D Printing

UPM and Carbodeon are developing cellulose and nanodiamond reinforced raw materials for 3D printing. The nanodiamond additives provide the product not only improved stiffness and strength but also higher heat deflection temperature. The product novelties will be available both for Fused Granular Fabrication (FGF) and for Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF)..

“By joining our forces we are able to combine the excellent mechanical properties and printing speed of nanodiamond enhanced 3D printing products to UPM cellulose based 3D printing raw materials,” says Vesa Myllymäki, CEO, Carbodeon.

The printing speed is significantly enhanced due to compound tailored thermal and flow properties. Fine cellulose fibres in turn brings self-supporting melt flow, enabling objects with round or other complex shapes to be printed without warpage problems.

Another benefit of cellulose biocomposite is its wood like post processing. Prints not only have pleasant matte surface touch and feel but 3D prints can be finalized by standard wood processing methods.

“Our aim is to bring sustainable biocomposite alternative to the field of technical polymers with short fibre filling. UPM Formi raw material grades are 100% recyclable and available with FSC® and PEFC(TM) certification,” says Eve Saarikoski, Application Manager, UPM Biocomposites.

“By combining nanodiamond and cellulose fibre technologies together we can have natural fibre composite that has higher melt flow than of standard plastics,” Saarikoski continues.

The combination of technologies opens new possibilities for tailoring the properties for 3D filaments and large scale granular based additive manufacturing. 3D materials market is estimated to be ~$5 billion by 2020.

The first joint UPM-Carbodeon 3D products will be PLA (polylactic acid) based, with possible further developments on other thermoplastic materials.

“Product development partnerships with innovative companies like UPM are a key part of Carbodeon’s global growth strategy,” says Dr. Myllymäki.

The developed, co-branded PLA compound granule and filament products will be available both from UPM and Carbodeon.

UPM Biocomposites
UPM Biocomposites creates value from renewable and recyclable materials by combining expertise and technologies within fibre based engineered materials businesses. UPM Biocomposites consists of UPM ProFi outdoor products for construction and UPM Formi granulates for injection moulding and extrusion. UPM Biocomposites factories are located in Finland and Germany. www.upmprofi.com.  www.upmformi.com

UPM
We deliver renewable and responsible solutions and innovate for a future beyond fossils across six business areas: UPM Biorefining, UPM Energy, UPM Raflatac, UPM Specialty Papers, UPM Communication Papers and UPM Plywood. We employ around 19,000 people worldwide and our annual sales are approximately EUR 10.5 billion. Our shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. UPM Biofore - Beyond fossils. www.upm.com

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Carbodeon
Carbodeon Ltd Oy develops, manufactures and supplies nanodiamond additives for a variety of industrial applications. Year 2018 Carbodeon introduced also its own nanodiamond enhanced PLA based 3D printing filament product, which offering will be expanded to other polymers. All Carbodeon products are sold under the name uDiamond®. Carbodeon nanodiamond additives and nanodiamond enhanced end products are covered with patents with wide geographical reach. www.carbodeon.com