Dutch designers Eric Klarenbeek and Maartje Dros are devoted to the production of bioplastics from algae and the use of 3D printing technology to make such environmentally friendly materials into household items such as tableware, water bottles, trash cans, etc. They hope the future of such 3D printed bioplastic products Can be done in the streets now selling to replace synthetic plastic products.
Klarenbeek and Dros cultivate aquatic algae in their studios and get 3D polymer-ready biopolymers by drying and processing, as well as organic materials such as fungi, potato starch and cacao husks Production of biopolymers.Their ultimate goal is to have biopolymer 3D printers provide 'freshly baked' finished products in street shops as if selling baked croissants.
The two designers said that algae can absorb carbon dioxide during their growth and that the production of bioplastics from algae can therefore help combat the global warming caused by elevated levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. They are working with the University of Wageningen, Radars Avans Biobased Laboratory and other agencies to carry out research, and at the invitation of the LUMA Foundation in Arles, France set up an algae production laboratory.
Currently, Klarenbeek and Dros' studios produce both 3D printed products of the same style native to the Netherlands and France using algae native to the region, and they have also recently exhibited at the Beyonce van Berlinen Art Museum in the Netherlands Out: Algae are harvested and processed from the pond in this gallery, and the glass collection in the imitation hall is printed in 3D.
The above-mentioned algae bioplastic 3D printing products have not been put into commercial production yet, and there is currently no information on time-to-market and selling price.