Enzyme-Assisted Circular Additive Manufacturing as an Enabling Technology for a Circular Bioeconomy—A Conceptual Review

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a decisive element in the sustainable transformation of technologies. And yet its inherent potential has not been fully utilized. In particular, the use of biological materials represents a comparatively new dimension that is still in the early stages of deployment. In order to be considered sustainable and contribute to the circular economy, various challenges need to be overcome. Here, the literature focusing on sustainable, circular approaches is reviewed. It appears that existing processes are not yet capable of being used as circular economy technologies as they are neither able to process residual and waste materials, nor are the produced products easily biodegradable. Enzymatic approaches, however, appear promising. Based on this, a novel concept called enzyme-assisted circular additive manufacturing was developed. Various process combinations using enzymes along the process chain, starting with the preparation of side streams, through the functionalization of biopolymers to the actual printing process and post-processing, are outlined. Future aspects are discussed, stressing the necessity for AM processes to minimize or avoid the use of chemicals such as solvents or binding agents, the need to save energy through lower process temperatures and thereby reduce CO2 consumption, and the necessity for complete biodegradability of the materials used.