Anita Redd launched her eczema and skin care moisturizer with great success in 2011.

But as sales climbed, her original 1 oz. packaging jars were suddenly discontinued. To solve the problem, and avoid having the issue happen again, Redd looked into 3D printing technology as a means of designing and producing her own bottles and jars.

Redd had no background in 3D printing but quickly discovered that the technology offered her complete control over the packaging production process – not only in terms of shape, style and supply, but also in terms of material choice. And for Redd, it was important to emphasize her commitment to sustainable material use by using a biodegradable material that could breakdown much faster than traditional cosmetics packaging plastics like standard ABS – which can require up to 1000 years to breakdown in a landfill.

Redd decided on a poly lactic acid filament material to print her bottles and jars because of its biodegradability as a material. She works with a MakerGear printer that prints 24 hours a day to keep up with demand.

Business continues to grow and today her product line includes a 4-oz. jar, lip balm, eye balm, hair balm and a 2.2 oz roll up that children can use easily and safely.

Redd has a patent pending on her packaging products. ‘The ability to compost and biodegrade is really going to impact the cosmetics industry in unimaginable ways,’ she says.

You can find out more about her products here.