Nanovia helps recycle fishing nets into 3D printing filaments
Nanovia is joining the fishing nets recycling program in Brittany, France to create PA-6 Nylon filaments for thermoplastic extrusion 3D printing. In order to do away with in-ground burial disposal of used fishing nets at its ports, Guingamp-Paimpol Agglomération started looking at new solutions to this problem in 2019 to reinsert these materials into a circular economy cycle. In 2020 the Coopération Maritime launched their RECYPECH project, which aims to optimize the disposal and treatment of waste caused by the industrial fishing sector.
By adhering to the former, Guingamp-Paimpol Agglomération, with the support of the CCI des Côtes d’Armor and Lannion Trégor Agglomération is starting the collection of these used and worn-out fishing nets on its territory that are treated by ESATCO at Plourivo, a hub for handicapped workers. Having previous experience at their hub on Oléron island on collecting and dismantling used fishing nets, USAT CO will be separating the different components of the nets (metal rings, ropes/selvage, nylon nets) and will ship them to their appropriate recycling sectors.
The separated nylon nets (polyamide-6) will be sent to Fil&Fab, a company based at Plougonvelin on the western Breton coast, specializing since 2015 in the transformation of used fishing nets on the west coast into pure plastic pellets.
Nanovia will be using these pellets in Louargat, where it will be transforming them into 3D printer filaments, expanding the range of recycled products that will include two filaments (1.75 mm & 2.85 mm) colored black. The first, Nanovia PA-6 R, in native nylon. And the second, Nanovia PA-6 CF R, a nylon filament reinforced with recycled carbon fibers from the aeronautical industry and fluid distribution. These filaments will be commercially available end of 2021.
