BigRep
The Role of Additive Manufacturing in Sustainable Manufacturing
How manufacturers are using additive to cut emissions, extend equipment life, and shorten supply chains.
What's Inside
Sustainability in manufacturing isn't about a single silver bullet. It's about the compounding effect of dozens of decisions: material choice, production method, part design, supply chain length, and the life expectancy of the machines that make everything else.
This ebook, developed in partnership with BigRep, walks through where additive manufacturing genuinely moves the needle on environmental impact, and where the tradeoffs live.
Inside you'll find:
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The material science of bio-based and recycled filaments, including PLA, PHA, PBS, and the newer BigRep rPETG and rPLA lines made from 100% post-industrial waste
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Lightweighting case data from Airbus, Leonardo Helicopters, and LEGACY MOTOR CLUB showing measurable weight and emissions reductions
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The real numbers on failed prints and how filament handling drives waste in FFF workflows
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How digital spare part libraries extend the life of legacy manufacturing equipment
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The logistics math on distributed production and its impact on freight emissions
Key Statistics From the Ebook
55%
Weight savings achieved on 3D-printed titanium brackets vs. traditional manufacturing (Airbus)
30-80%
Carbon emissions reduction from recycled vs. virgin plastic
6-8%
Fuel economy improvement per 10% vehicle weight reduction
~23%
Spare parts inventory that becomes obsolete annually
≥7%
Share of global GHG emissions attributable to freight and warehousing
~34%
Plastic wasted through failed prints in FFF workflows, according to industry research
Who This Ebook Is For
This ebook is designed for anyone thinking through the sustainability dimension of their manufacturing operations:
Manufacturing leaders evaluating additive manufacturing as part of a broader sustainability initiative
Procurement and supply chain teams looking to reduce logistics footprint and inventory obsolescence
Design engineers exploring lightweighting, topology optimization, and lattice structures for parts and assemblies
Operations teams looking to extend the life of critical legacy manufacturing equipment
Sustainability officers building the business case for additive investment
