A Systematic Review on the Reuse of Recycled Plastics in 3D Printing Filament Production

Abstract

The use of recycled plastics in manufacturing 3D printing filaments has gained increasing relevance, driven by the need to adopt more sustainable practices in production processes. This study aims to conduct a systematic analysis of the development and implementation of recycled materials in 3D printing between 2014 and 2024. The PRISMA methodology was used to conduct a search in scientific databases such as Scopus, initially obtaining 499 documents, which were reduced to 240 after applying thematic filters. The results show that the United States, China, and Italy lead the scientific production in this field, while Latin America’s participation is lower, with Colombia, Argentina, and Chile contributing a minimal number of publications. It is evident that the area of Materials Science leads this field with 36.8% of studies, followed by areas such as Chemistry and Engineering. Furthermore, 86% of the documents reviewed are scientific articles, highlighting the academic importance of the topic. In conclusion, the use of recycled plastics in 3D printing presents itself as a viable alternative to reduce the environmental impact of plastics, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary approaches and technological innovation to improve their properties and expand their application in various industrial sectors.