Natural skin balm uses 3D printing to make biodegradable jar

摘要

Here's a new twist to the trend of using bio-based materials for natural products. While sales were soaring for Anita's Balm all-natural eczema and skin care moisturizer, founder Anita Redd faced a packaging dilemma: Bottles were being discontinued. So she embarked down the do-it-yourself road and opted for an alternative manufacturing method to solve her problem-3D printing. "We were excited about the possibilities available to us with 3D printing, in terms of the different plastics we could use and the different shapes we can create," Redd says. "We chose polylactic acid filament because it is biodegradable and we created a unique five-piece jar. 3D printing enables us to change our designs relatively quickly and inexpensively and we can adapt to different needs our company has." One of the other unique features of this new jar is its functionality. It works like a push-up deodorant stick, twisting at the bottom, which is unusual for a container that looks like a jar. The 1-oz container sold out in weeks upon its launch into the marketplace and Redd says they continue to sell every jar they print.