When Is Additive Manufacturing a Sustainable Alternative to Traditional Manufacturing, When Is It Not, and Why?
This whitepaper summarizes an in-depth life cycle analysis (LCA) study carried out by Materialise and BASF, comparing the sustainability of 3D printing with traditional manufacturing processes. The study uses a sports shoe midsole as an example case, following a combination of methodologies within BASF’s SEEBalance® framework.
With this whitepaper, you will learn about:
Applying LCA methodologies to 3D printing
The value and limitations of LCA frameworks
The factors that impact the environmental performance of AM processes
Ways of improving the sustainability of AM
About Materialise
Materialise incorporates nearly three decades of 3D printing experience into a range of software solutions and 3D printing services, which together form the backbone of the 3D printing industry. Materialise’s open and flexible solutions enable players in a wide variety of industries, including healthcare, automotive, aerospace, art and design, and consumer goods, to build innovative 3D printing applications that aim to make the world a better and healthier place. Headquartered in Belgium, with branches worldwide, Materialise combines the largest group of software developers in the industry with one of the largest 3D printing facilities in the world.
For more information on our sustainability program and our commitment to sustainable AM, see our impact page.
