allPHA
allPHA (pronounced Alpha) stands as the world's pioneering 100% biobased and 100% biodegradable filament, setting new standards in sustainable 3D printing. colorFabb's allPHA 3D printing filament represents the pinnacle of bioplastics, encapsulating the essence of innovation in an eco-friendly package, presented on a thoughtfully designed cardboard spool.
PolyHydroxyAlkanoates, or PHA, the acronym for our revolutionary material, is derived through the natural and sustainable process of fermentation. This unique method involves feeding bacteria with natural sugars and oils, prompting the bacteria to produce "fat" cells, which manifest as PHA. The beauty of PHA lies in its inherent biodegradability. Microorganisms possess the ability to break it down entirely after the product's lifecycle, ensuring a full-circle, environmentally conscious approach.
What is PHA?
PHA is a polymer (plastic) made by an extensive variety of microorganisms. It is produced by bacterial fermentation, where bacteria are overfed, creating 'fatty cells'. PHA is a natural polymer that has not been chemically modified.
Because it is an all-natural product, PHA is biodegradable (faster & easier than PLA) and therefore minimizes pollution.
No more waste!
PHA that accidentally does not end in waste collection schemes can be biodegraded safely by nature itself. PHA materials do not release toxic microplastics into the environment.
So, if you print with allPHA and you have some failed print material left, don't throw it in the bin, throw it in your garden instead!
Printer Settings
At colorFabb, we have a well-equipped 3d printing studio with a lot of popular 3d printers. We know our materials will give you excellent results and to help you get these results here are tips and tricks for using allPHA.
Have a look here to see which printer settings to use.
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Biodegradable
Our allPHA material will truly break down in any biotope, without leaving microplastics. The speed of the decomposition depends on the thickness of the printed part and compost environmental factors, such as heat, moisture, and microbial activity. This makes allPHA very different from PLA, which is only biodegradable in an industrial composting environment.
This birdfeeder is made from allPHA and UV resistant. Add an empty bottle and bird seeds and you're all set!
Exceptional layer to layer adhesion
allPHA shows exceptional layer-to-layer adhesion in most printing conditions. The material feels tough and capable and is stable to very high temperatures (>120C). Unlike other filaments, allPHA needs to be printed on a cold bed, with 100% fan cooling. As a bonus, using a non-heated build plate allows the users to print much more economically and sustainably, as this saves a huge amount of energy during printing.
Read here what other print settings are key to printing allPHA.
BeAM is decreasing its waste footprint
Priding itself on sustainability, BeAM introduced our new sustainable 3D printing filament, allPHA, to two of its makerspaces this spring. Sustainable Carolina partnered with BeAM and provided funding to quickly introduce the biodegradable filament into the space.
Glenn Walters, BeAM’s senior technical advisor: “The vast majority of 3D printing is waste” . “But with colorFabb’s allPHA, you don’t even need a recycling stream – it’s compostable.”