LOWIMPACT

At its core, LOWIMPACT® is a material development methodology that combines compostable bioplastics derived from potato starch with locally sourced food and agricultural by-products, creating a new generation of circular materials tailored for additive manufacturing. The process focuses on re-valorizing organic waste streams that would otherwise be discarded, converting them into functional, aesthetic, and scalable 3D-printable compounds.

The base matrix is a bioplastic of renewable origin, selected for its compostability, printability, and mechanical stability. This matrix is reinforced and characterized through the integration of different organic fillers, such as spent coffee grounds, orange peels, and grape skins, each contributing unique textures, colors, and material behaviors.

Beyond these primary materials, the LOWIMPACT® process has been successfully applied to a wide range of alternative waste sources. Experimental and production-grade compounds have been developed using brewer’s spent grain, banana fiber, tobacco waste, and hibiscus tea residues, demonstrating the versatility and adaptability of the system. Each variation is designed by adjusting granulometry, fiber content, and extrusion parameters to ensure consistency and reliability during 3D printing.

LOWIMPACT® materials are conceived for large-format and small-scale additive manufacturing, compatible with standard filament systems as well as pellet-based extrusion. The process is optimized to balance sustainability with real-world fabrication needs, ensuring stable extrusion, controlled surface finishes, and repeatable results across different geometries and scales.