US PLA producer NatureWorks (Minnetonka, Minnesota; www.natureworksllc.com) has launched a three-pronged initiative to support the developing 3D printing market. It includes the introduction of a new series of "Ingeo" PLA grades, a suite of technical support services and the creation of an in-house print lab. NatureWorks said PLA has become a material of first choice in 3D printing, particularly for desktop users, as its low polymer thermal shrinkage allows high resolution printing for accuracy of parts and also avoids warping.

“3D printing has the rapid pace of innovation, development and change that is normal to a new and still nascent market,” said Dan Sawyer, NatureWorks’ global leader, new business segment. “Many new suppliers are entering the PLA filament market, while a breadth of experienced suppliers, large and small, are formulating and compounding to provide additional filament properties and options. That’s the sort of innovation that NatureWorks is aggressively moving to support and amplify with our new broad-based initiative.”

The first new Ingeo product is a base grade – "Ingeo 3D850" – which, said NatureWorks, gives a good overall balance of filament processability and consistency, and print quality. It is also designed to provide optimum performance for those who want to undertake further formulation or compounding to extend part properties beyond what the base grades provide.

The company spent 18 months working with 3D filament suppliers, printer manufacturers and operations to get first-hand feedback on market needs. “What we learned from our market engagement is that a large segmet of the market prefers to print with PLA and would like to replace petroleum-based ABS if PLA can rival the other material’s heat resistance and the toughness of finished parts,” explained Sawyer.

NatureWorks is now testing a PLA filament produced from higher heat and toughness Ingeo formulations in its newly established in-house print lab. Market introduction is targeted for later this year.

The printing lab has multiple printers for assessing performance and quality of new ‘Ingeo’ formulations, both in printer operation and in the final printed part. NatureWorks said the lab shortens time to market for the Ingeo 3D grades and aids collaboration with printer and filament producers.

The company has now produced the NatureWorks 3D Printing Suppliers Guide which is available to download. A full suite of filament melt processing guides, technical data sheets and other technical service resources have also been developed.