In episode #221, Engineering Matters looked at a new way of manufacturing feedstocks for plastics. This approach will eliminate the use for oil products, instead making use of plant-based materials, which will also help remove carbon from the atmosphere.

But eliminating the use of finite oil resources is only one part of the circular economy. This week, we wanted to take a dip into the archive, to look at a technology that could help close the loop in the plastics supply chain: 3D printing.

Back in 2019, we looked at a device called the Refabricator. This was developed for use in space, allowing plastics to be melted and reused, even in the difficult environment of a space station.

It doesn’t just have applications in space though, but can recycle plastic on earth too. We also consider how additive manufacturing is making the move from being a prototyping technology to becoming a complementary technique in the production chain and look at how newer methods—like material jetting—could prove disruptive in pharmaceuticals and electronics.

GUESTS

Dr Robert Hoyt, Tethers Unlimited

Ben Redwood, 3D Hubs

Professor Richard Hague, Centre for Additive Manufacturing, University of Nottingham.