The materials I use are 100% biobased, produced in the Netherlands and made from recycled packaging waste in the EU.

It is available in interesting finishes such as matte, glossy and transparent, with an extensive color palette that makes it perfect for creating distinctive design objects.

rPLA has a low climate impact compared to fossil-based plastics, reducing dependence on non-renewable resources. By choosing recycled materials, I want to reduce my need for (new) virgin resources, which reduces environmental impact and supports circular production.

rPLA stands for recycled PLA. PLA itself, or polylactic acid, is a special type of bioplastic.

It is made from renewable, plant-based sources such as corn starch, unlike traditional plastics that are often made from petroleum.

PLA is a thermoplastic, which means it softens when heated and hardens when cooled, making it very suitable for 3D printing.

rPLA is a recycled version of PLA, derived from packaging waste.

The rPLA I use is made from post-industrial recycled (PIR) sources from the Benelux and other EU-countries.

PIR refers to plastic that is discarded during production processes and does not reach the end consumer. Think of packaging materials (vegetable or fruit containers and cups), agricultural waste, textiles, and so on.

This type of post-industrial plastic is typically of very good quality and clean, which makes it easier to process.

PIR plastic is converted into granulate through mechanical recycling, without chemicals, making it more sustainable and efficient.

This process includes sorting, cleaning, grinding, and melting the plastic and is performed by a recycling specialist in the EU.

When granulated, Colorfabb (NL) uses this as the basis for their rPLA filament, processing it through extrusion lines that wind the filament thread onto a spool, so I can use it for my creations.