Grantee Research Project Results
Greener Plastics with High Heat Tolerance for Additive Manufacturing
EPA Contract Number: 68HE0D18C0013Title: Greener Plastics with High Heat Tolerance for Additive Manufacturing
Investigators: DiCarmine, Paul
Small Business: Intelligent Optical Systems Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: October 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019
Project Amount: $99,960
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2018) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , SBIR - Manufacturing
Description:
Advances in materials and automation are rapidly reshaping the American manufacturing economy. These advances
must be embraced to sustain a strong manufacturing sector in the United States. Additive manufacturing is possibly the
fastest growing example of this trend, growing at an astonishing compound annual growth rate of 25.7%. The plastic
materials market for additive manufacturing, valued at $700M in 2020, is projected to grow even faster, up to 34.6% to
2023 ($1.8B). Traditional plastics used in additive manufacturing are produced from toxic chemicals and are not
degradable. Existing greener alternatives are not heat tolerant and deform at <60°C. Despite this severe limitation,
greener plastics account for 32% of material used. This market trend indicates a strong demand for a greener, heat
tolerant plastic. Our proposed product will be a greener, degradable plastic, produced from bio-based feedstock, tolerant
to 106°C, comparable to the best traditional plastics. Technical feasibility including production and product demonstration
will be accomplished in Phase I. We anticipate our first sales in Phase II. After demonstrating market success and revenue
as a greener, heat tolerant material for additive manufacturing, we anticipate finding applications in other products that
require greener heat tolerant plastics, such as polystyrene hot food containers.
Supplemental Keywords:
plastics, technology
Progress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase II:
Greener Plastics with High Heat Tolerance for Additive Manufacturing | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.