PET is recyclable in most countries. Why not print with it? We test the Innofil3D “EPR PET” filament on an Ultimaker 2, with great results.

With 3D printing becoming an important technology in our lives, it should be as ecological as possible right from the start. That’s especially true for the materials used for everyday printing.

Over the past years materials PLA and ABS have evolved into standards for 3D printing enthusiasts – that’s just more plastic. PET, another polymer, offers the characteristics to elevate 3D printing to the next level. 

The advantages are clear: In most countries, PET is fully integrated in the recycling workflow. So if your print’s gone wrong or you don’t need the printed object anymore, you can recycle it.

All3DP’s First Impression of Innofil3D ERP PET Filament

Over the last days, we did several test prints with the new “Innofil3D EPR PET” material. The prints were done on an Ultimaker 2 with the suggested settings (210 ° Celcius, 60 mm / s speed, heated bed at 80 ° Celsius).

What we liked about it:

1. On our Ultimaker 2, the filament behaved absolutely foolproof. No warping, no blobs, no jagged edges, no heat problems, no extruder problems.
2. Bed adherence was good when printing with a heated bed and the suggested settings.
3. The filament had great layer adhesion in general.
4. The colors are slightly translucent. This gives a great effect, as the infill structure is shining through on some builds.
5. We printed a fully waterproof flower pot with it. And yes, the material is waterproof (and the plant lives)
6. The prints are foodsafe (exception with the red and orange filament, which was approved by the EU, but not the FDA in the US).
7. Adhesions, rafts and towers were sturdy, but not too sticky to be removed.

What we didn’t like:

One thing. Some of the print experienced some “layer fluff”, which had to be removed with a knife.

New, Improved Material

Since 2013, Innofil3d is offering a variety of PET filament in different colors. Their new improved EPR PET consists of MonoPet Polyethylene Terephtalate. The material comes in the two standard sizes of 2.85 mm and 1.75 mm on 500 gram spools. It is sold since August 2015 in the following colors:

• Black
• Blue
• Gold
• Green
• Natural
• Orange
• White
• Red
• Yellow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clwuVgaKjT8