Asahi Kasei and Aquafil have teamed up to create a new 3D printing material made from Econyl, a chemically recycled polyamide 6 (PA6), and Asahi Kasei’s cellulose nanofibres (CNFs). This collaboration, supported by Itochu Corporation, has resulted in the development of pellets and filaments that offer better formability and strength than current materials, making them suitable for automotive and aerospace uses.

Econyl is produced from post- and pre-consumer waste like fishing nets and old carpets, which are chemically recycled and transformed back into monomers before being re-polymerized. CNF, made from cotton linter, offers high heat resistance and strong recyclability compared to traditional glass fibre.

Asahi Kasei plans to begin trial sales of this new compound in filament form in the EU, US, and Japan in the third quarter of 2025. It will be showcased at Fakuma in Germany from October 15-19 and at Japan’s Sustainable Material Expo from October 29-31.