Thanks to a cutting-edge breakthrough, wool is now being used as a renewable colour source for 3D printing.
The brainchild of Wool Source and KiwiFil, WoolyFil is the world’s first commercial 3D printing filament to use a wool-based colourant in place of traditional synthetic or fossil-fuel-derived colourants.
The unique colour source comes from Wool Source Pigments, an alternative to standard pigments with 92 to 98 percent biobased carbon content. This means the carbon is almost entirely derived from a renewable, natural source.
“Wool Source’s patented technology takes strong wool fibre and transforms it into fine, coloured particles that can be mixed into other materials for applications like 3D printing, bioplastics and screen-printing inks,” said Tom Hooper, our chief executive at Wool Source.
"Unlike other biobased options for textural effect or colour, our four-colour base system gives filament producers maximum colour mixing flexibility."
Hooper added that the Wool Source Pigments product has been designed for customers keen to improve their environmental footprint while still delivering consistent colour and performance.
"The KiwiFil team was willing to have a play with it and give us some feedback, and we're delighted they decided to launch a new range with our pigments as the hero."
KiwiFil Director Eva Hakansson said the company was looking to make the most sustainable filament possible.
“We loved the idea of using New Zealand wool and a biobased pigment in our recycled PLA filament, but it needed to work for everyday 3D printing customers, as that’s our market,” she said.
“Our customers are loving the totally unique look and feel and the colours inspired by nature.”
WoolyFil is available in two colours, Green Marble and Riverstone and in 250g and 1kg spools. More colour development is already underway.
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