Unlocking the potential of 3D printing with our patented MLP recycling technology.
We turn “unrecyclable” waste like mulit-layerd plastic (think chips packets) into 3D-printed prototypes without the need for traditional filament.
Less than 1% of multi-layered plastic (MLP) waste is ever recycled. And when it comes to 3D printing, it’s even more unusable. The layers (often a chaotic mix of plastic, foil, and fillers) vary wildly in quality, composition, and contamination.
This inconsistency makes MLP not just difficult to recycle, but nearly impossible to repurpose into the precise, uniform feedstock that 3D printing demands.
We separate the layers of multi-layered plastic (MLP) using our patented process and extract usable materials. The polyolefins are then compounded into pellets using a proprietary blend. Instead of converting these into filament, we 3D print directly from the pellets using a specialised pellet printer.
Current Status: This is still a work in progress. While promising, our material VerdiFLX is not yet fully 3D printing–friendly. We’re actively working to improve pellet uniformity and print performance, but are excited about the potential.
We source our MLP waste directly from local scrapshops run by a wastepicker-collective.
Our patented method, VerdiCycle, extracts materials from this post-consumer waste and converts them into 3D-printable pellets.
We are currently experimenting editing the final material with the right combination of additives to ensure it prints better.
Our pellet printer directly handles the pellets for printing. This approach bypasses traditional extrusion and filament printing issues. This method works best for large, simple products (not great with small intricate ones).
Versatility: Our robust process can handle various contaminants and plastic waste types without compromising the final product. This includes hard-to-recycle things like coloured PET bottles, TetraPak and metalized paper plates.
We’re still figuring this out!
Quick Comparison: Our Approach vs. Traditional
To keep it clear, here’s how our recycled MLP stacks up – based on tests and industry benchmarks.
| Aspect | Traditional Virgin Plastic 3D Printing | Our Recycled MLP Pellet Approach |
|---|---|---|
|
Waste Generation |
High (20-30% scrap from extrusion) |
Low (under 10%, direct pellet use) |
|
Carbon Emissions |
Baseline (from raw extraction) |
30-50% lower via recycling |
|
Material Cost |
Standard |
20-40% cheaper long-term (waste-sourced) |
|
Print Consistency |
Reliable with additives |
Improving (70% success; ongoing tweaks) |
|
Environmental Benefit |
Minimal (relies on new resources) |
High (diverts MLP waste, circular) |
Take our first success: A chip packet batch recycled into pellets, then printed into a durable chess piece: ‘The Rook’. Albeit the finishing and a few more smaller details, they held up in stress tests, proving MLP’s potential beyond landfill.
Impact? Reduce one packet’s footprint from pollution to product; multiply that by millions, and we are talking real change.
“In the circular economy, the end of a product is just the beginning of another cycle.”
– Ellen MacArthur
This is not the end, we are transparent about the R&D phase, we’ll keep updating as we continue optimizing.
We’re still figuring this out. The tech’s not perfect, but it’s real, and it’s already making a dent. Lower footprints. Empowered workers. Waste that didn’t go anywhere is actually going somewhere.
If you’re curious about collaborating, co-developing a low-MOQ 3D-printed range, or just want to see it in action, swing by our lab. We’re always up for building better, together.
