UBQ materials’ first-ever waste-based 3D printing filament
Converts unsorted landfill-destined waste into a fully recyclable thermoplastic
UBQ Materials, a climate tech developer of advanced materials made from unsorted household waste, has been named the winner in the Speculative Design category at the 24th annual SXSW Innovation Awards. UBQ Materials was named the winner for the first-ever waste-based 3D filament made with UBQ. It is based on a climate-positive, recyclable thermoplastic which is developed in partnership with Plastics App, a leading R&D company in tailor-made applicative innovation for polymers. The novel filament wants to offer a new sustainable option to the additive manufacturing space by enabling 3D printing with a significantly reduced carbon footprint.
Of hundreds of applications submitted, UBQ Materials was one of just 15 winners. Each entry was graded on four criteria: creativity, form, function, and overall experience. UBQ Materials took home the top prize in the Speculative Design category, which looks at design solutions that address the challenges, opportunities, and possibilities of the future.
“3D printing enables manufacturers across industries the option to design complex products with near-immediate customizations that otherwise might be impossible to produce using conventional manufacturing methods,” said Tato Bigio, Co-CEO and Co-founder of UBQ Materials. “The use of UBQ in the printing filament offers manufacturers the ability to gain the benefits of 3D printing, while capitalizing on the reduced carbon footprint enabled by UBQ. With this innovation, 3D printing may become the most environmentally conscious means of production available. We are thrilled that the SXSW Innovation Awards judging panel recognized this significant achievement and are incredibly proud to have been named the winner in this category.”
UBQ Materials converts unsorted landfill-destined waste, including all organics, into a fully recyclable thermoplastic that substitutes oil-based resins for manufacturing. 3D printing – a space that has typically relied on oil-based thermoplastics. With the UBQ-based 3D filaments, manufacturers can take full advantage of the flexibility and cost-efficiency of 3D printing, while maintaining a low-carbon footprint for eco-conscious production.
