Techno-economic and life cycle assessment of lignin-based blended resin for 3D printing

Abstract

As CO₂ emissions reach record highs, finding renewable, low-cost, and low-carbon alternatives to fossil fuel-based products is critical. This study examines the techno-economic and life cycle assessment (TEA-LCA) of lignin-based blended resin for 3D printing, investigating lignin, a renewable and affordable resource, as an alternative to petroleum-derived resins. Kraft lignin was fractionated into a low molecular weight fraction and combined with commercial resin in a 9:1 ratio or 10 % by weight. TEA estimated the production cost of the resin at $38.43/kg with a minimum selling price of $38.85/kg for a 10 MT/batch plant. LCA results revealed a global warming impact of 6.64 kg CO₂ eq/kg of resin, with highest emissions coming from the commercial epoxy resin. Utilizing higher percentages of lignin instead of the commercial resin could substantially lower both production costs and environmental impacts, providing a more sustainable option for 3D printing.

Citation

Ahire, J.P.; Bergman, R.; Runge, T.; Chmely, S.C. 2025. Techno-economic and life cycle assessment of lignin-based blended resin for 3D printing. Industrial Crops & Products. 227: 120803. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.120803.