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ECO-FRIENDLY 3D PRINTING MATERIALS: WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Bio-based filaments? Sounds promising, but how exactly
does that work? 

As 3D printing becomes more accessible, more people
are asking a simple but important question: Can it also be sustainable? With so
many filament options out there, it’s not always clear which materials are
genuinely eco-friendly – or what that even means. 

Is it about being bio-based, biodegradable, or both? 

The reality is, these terms are often used
interchangeably, but they refer to very different things. Understanding the
difference is key if you want to make better, more informed choices –
especially when you care about performance too. 

At Extrudr, we’ve been working with bio-based
materials from the beginning. While standard materials like PLA already use
renewable resources, we’ve expanded our range of bio-based filaments to also
include high-performance alternatives that are made to handle everything from
hobby prints to industrial parts.

Let’s break down what makes a filament sustainable,
how to spot the difference between bio-based and biodegradable materials, and
how you can choose the right one for your next project.

A bio-based filament is made from renewable raw
materials like corn starch, sugarcane, or wood fibers, instead of fossil fuels.
This reduces reliance on petroleum-based plastics and helps lower the overall
carbon footprint of the product. But just because something is made from
renewable sources, does not mean that it is biodegradable. Generally,
bioplastics fall into three categories:

1. Made from renewable raw materials and
 biodegradable&nbsp;

2. Made from renewable raw materials and
 non-biodegradable&nbsp;

3. Made from fossil raw materials and biodegradable&nbsp;

At Extrudr, we focus on the first two categories,
offering filaments that are bio-based and, in some cases, also biodegradable. Each
type serves a different purpose. Let’s look at some examples.

large_final-grafik-biokunststoffe-en.jpg

medium_final-grafik-biokunststoffe-en.jpg

small_final-grafik-biokunststoffe-en.jpg

thumbnail_final-grafik-biokunststoffe-en.jpg

What it’s made from: A bio-based
material made from fermented corn starch.&nbsp; Why it’s great: Lightweight, strong, and easy to print. This filament
offers great results with minimal setup.&nbsp; Best for: Prototypes, educational kits, and everyday prints
where reliability and simplicity matter.

What it’s made from: A
next-generation PLA formulation derived from renewable sources, refined for
improved print quality.&nbsp; Why it’s great: It delivers excellent dimensional accuracy and a
soft, matte finish straight off the print bed. Very forgiving, even on
lower-end machines.&nbsp; Best for: Design-focused projects, presentation models, and
creative prints that need a premium look.

What it’s made from: A bio-based
material made from fermented corn starch.&nbsp; Why it’s great: Offers outstanding strength, heat resistance (up to
115°C), and a low-warp profile while remaining easy to print. Pro version meets
higher technical requirements.&nbsp; Best for: Functional parts, jigs, and end-use components in
automotive, electronics, tooling, and other demanding sectors. &nbsp;

What it’s made from: Composites of
PLA blended with natural fibers like flax or wood.&nbsp; Why it’s great: Prints with a warm, organic texture and natural
surface finish. Slightly porous appearance adds character and tactility.&nbsp; Best for: Architectural models, product mockups, and creative
works where aesthetic and material storytelling are important.

What it’s made from: A bio-based
PLA blend enriched with mica-like particles for a shimmering effect.&nbsp; Why it’s great: Prints with a luxurious, iridescent sheen that changes
with lighting and angle – without compromising printability.&nbsp; Best for: Premium product prototypes, artistic objects,
packaging concepts, and anything where visual impact is a priority.

These materials give you a range of options depending
on your project. 

BIODEGRADABILITY: WHEN DO FILAMENTS BREAK DOWN?&nbsp;

Now that we’ve looked at some of our core bio-based
materials, there’s another term that often comes up in the same conversation: biodegradable.

It sounds like the natural next step. If a material is
made from plants, shouldn’t it just break down on its own? Not necessarily.
While some of our filaments are biodegradable, not all bio-based materials
behave the same way at the end of their life cycle. 

These two properties are not automatically linked. A
filament can be fully bio-based and yet not biodegradable at all, depending on
how it’s engineered. 

One of the best-known examples for a bio-based and
biodegradable filament is PLA. It’s made entirely from corn starch, making it
100% bio-based. But PLA only biodegrades under specific industrial composting
conditions. For it to fully break down, it needs:

According to the DIN EN 13432 standard, for a plastic
to be labeled compostable, it must break down by at least 90% within 90 days in
such an environment. In a certified composting facility, PLA can decompose
within a few months. But in a regular home compost – or worse, in landfill – it
behaves much like traditional plastic, taking years or even decades to degrade.


CONVENTIONAL PLASTICS AND THE NEED FOR RECYCLING&nbsp;

Not every project calls for bio-based materials. In
many cases, conventional plastics like PETG remain a reliable and widely used
choice thanks to their durability and versatility. At the same time, PETG, for
instance, is one of the more recyclable options among fossil-based filaments, and
there’s increasing interest across the industry for closed-loop recycling
systems where materials can be recovered, reused, and reprocessed.

That’s why it’s more practical to think in terms of
purpose, rather than thinking in absolutes like bio-based versus
conventional materials. Ask yourself: What does your part need to do? How long
should it last? And how can you minimize its environmental impact – whether through
recycling, reduced waste, or regional production?

At Extrudr, we support this mindset by offering a carefully
developed range of bio-based and recyclable materials, all produced in
Lustenau, Austria, using clean energy and responsibly sourced raw materials. Our
goal isn’t to limit your options – it’s to help you make more informed ones, so
you can work efficiently while contributing to a more sustainable way of making.

CHOOSING SUSTAINABLE FILAMENT: WHAT TO LOOK FOR

So, what should you
actually consider when choosing a more sustainable filament?

Start by checking if the
material is bio-based, meaning it’s made from renewable resources like corn
starch, sugarcane, or wood. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels and lowers
the carbon footprint of your prints. Then, consider whether the filament is
biodegradable, and if so, under what conditions. Materials like PLA may
biodegrade, but only in industrial composting settings, not in your household
compost or landfill.

Also think about the expected
lifespan of your part. If you’re printing something that’s meant to last – like
a mechanical component, a product prototype, or a design piece for long-term
use – then durability may be more important than biodegradability. In those
cases, a bio-based but non-biodegradable material like GreenTEC Pro might be
the better fit.

And finally, consider your
filament’s origin. Where and how your filament is made affects both emissions
and accountability. We produce all of our filaments in Lustenau, Austria, using
clean energy and carefully sourced raw materials – meaning shorter shipping
distances within Europe, high traceability, and consistent quality you can rely
on, all while helping you make more responsible material choices.

<a href="https://www.european-bioplastics.org/bioplastics/">www.european-bioplastics.org/bioplastics&nbsp;</a>

<a href="https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-3d-printing-industry-statistics/">https://gitnux.org/sustainability-in-the-3d-printing-industry-statistics/&nbsp;</a>

<a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/12/18/2998882/0/en/3D-Printer-Filament-Recycler-Market-is-Projected-to-Reach-at-a-US-230-2-Million-by-2034-Fact-MR-Report.html">https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/12/18/2998882/0/en/3D-Printer-Filament-Recycler-Market-is-Projected-to-Reach-at-a-US-230-2-Million-by-2034-Fact-MR-Report.html</a>

<a href="https://linkewire.com/2025/01/29/recyclable-3d-printing-filament-market-poised-to-reach-3-8b-by-2034-from-1-2b-in-2024-cagr-11-6/">https://linkewire.com/2025/01/29/recyclable-3d-printing-filament-market-poised-to-reach-3-8b-by-2034-from-1-2b-in-2024-cagr-11-6/</a>

<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969723036690">https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969723036690</a>

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Eco-friendly 3D Printing Materials: What to Look For