Asahi Kasei and Aquafil work together to develop regenerated ECONYL® Polymer and cellulose nanofiber for use in 3D printing.
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was recently signed by the Italian producer of polyamide 6 (PA6), Aquafil S.p.A., and the Japanese technological business Asahi Kasei. Together with the assistance of ITOCHU Corporation, which has invested cash in Aquafil, the two firms decided to create a unique material for 3D printing (3DP) applications using Asahi Kasei’s cellulose nanofiber (CNF) and Aquafil’s ECONYL® Polymer, which is chemically regenerated PA6. This compound’s pellets or filaments have excellent formability and strength, making them appropriate for usage in automotive and aerospace applications.
PA6 that has been chemically recycled from post- and pre-consumer waste is called ECONYL® Polymer. utilised fishing nets, worn carpets, industrial trash, and other polyamide waste are utilised to create ECONYL® Polymer chips by first depolymerising the material into monomers and then repolymerizing it.
Asahi Kasei’s CNF has a strong heat resistance and network-forming capacity. It is constructed of cotton linter. In addition, CNF is a more recyclable material than glass fibre. Asahi Kasei believes that the novel CNF/ECONYL® Polymer compound has a lot of potential for high-performance applications, namely in the automotive and aviation areas. It has exceptional formability and strength, especially when used in 3DP.
In Q3 2025, Asahi Kasei intends to start trial sales of the novel compound material’s filament in the US, EU, and Japan. The next Fakuma (15–19 October, Germany), Sustainable Material Expo (29–31 October, Japan), and Formnext (19–22 November, Germany) will feature the novel material.