Braskem, the Americas’ largest polyolefins producer and the leading biopolymer producer, announced an expanded partnership with Vartega Inc. (“Vartega”), a leading recycler of advanced materials, including carbon fibre reinforced plastics, for a new 3D Printing Filament Recycling Program.
Braskem recently added new, advanced carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene filament for 3D printing (“CF-PP”) to their 3D printing product lineup (“FL900PP-CF”). This product is constructed entirely of 100% recycled carbon fiber from Vartega and is designed to work with Braskem’s polypropylene.
Andrew Maxey, Vartega CEO said, “We are so pleased to provide Braskem with sustainable high-performance carbon fiber for their new 3D printing filament. And by leveraging our recycling capabilities, Braskem and Vartega can provide an end-to-end solution for 3D printing customers. This collaboration is an excellent demonstration of what’s possible with modern supply chains and novel solutions to traditional waste problems. The landfill is not the only option, and Vartega is unlocking a captive supply of valuable materials in failed prints, support structures, and filament scrap.”
Braskem is committed to a carbon-neutral circular economy. In 2018, Braskem committed to 100% of plastic packaging being reused, recycled, or recovered by 2040. As part of its evolving sustainable development strategy, Braskem also announced additional commitments to mitigate climate change, eliminate plastic waste, and provide solutions for recycled products in its markets.
Jason Vagnozzi, Braskem Commercial Director of Additive Manufacturing, stated, “Our new Filament Recycling Program with Vartega is part of Braskem’s broader strategy to provide solutions for recycled products and eliminate plastic waste. We are excited to partner with Vartega and leverage their capabilities to ensure that each spool of carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene is properly disposed of and does not end up in landfills. Plastic plays a vital role in society, and we believe that programs such as this will allow plastics to continue their role in advancing innovation and providing sustainable solutions.”
Braskem’s carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene filament offers superior mechanical and thermal properties as well as low warpage and allows users to 3D print lightweight and exceptionally rigid parts for high-end applications, such as automotive, aerospace, nautical, sporting goods, and much more. Best of all FL00PP-CF is made using 100% recycled carbon fiber with the same performance you would expect from virgin carbon fiber.
As the North American leader in polypropylene, Braskem is strongly committed to moving towards a Circular Economy, where nothing is wasted and everything is transformed. Last year, Braskem announced it reached its 2020 goal to become an Operation Clean Sweep® blue member. Braskem also became a founding member and funding partner of the Polypropylene Recycling Coalition, an initiative of The Recycling Partnership with a focus on increasing U.S. curbside recycling access for polypropylene (PP) and ensuring PP is widely recovered and reused in end-markets such as food and beverage packaging, consumer products and automotive. Braskem is also a founding member of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste.
ABOUT VARTEGA
Vartega is making carbon fiber more accessible to more industries by solving the world’s toughest advanced materials recycling challenges to create circular supply chains, decarbonize transportation, and enable a sustainable future. The company’s patented carbon fiber recycling process scales rapidly to address a gap in the composites supply chain. Vartega’s carbon fiber and specialty thermoplastics are used in sporting goods, additive manufacturing, and vehicle lightweighting.
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