On January 26th, Filamentive, a UK-based filament manufacturer, launched Bio HT PLA, a bio-based high-temperature PLA material designed specifically for industrial 3D printing. It combines high thermal stability, industrial strength, and sustainability, and can be used directly without post-processing, priced at approximately $54 per kilogram.
1. No Annealing Required
One of the most significant advantages of Bio HT PLA is its immediate heat resistance after printing. Many high-temperature PLA formulations require annealing or post-printing heat treatment to release their thermal properties. This undoubtedly increases production time, process complexity, and can lead to product performance fluctuations, especially significant in large-scale production environments.
Bio HT PLA eliminates this step. The material achieves the expected thermal properties in its printed state and can be used directly for heat-sensitive parts after printing. For printing plants and engineering teams, this means a more efficient production process, more stable product dimensions, and a lower risk of post-processing deformation.
This characteristic makes Bio HT PLA particularly suitable for products such as tooling fixtures, housings, brackets, and workshop tools-components that need to maintain shape and rigidity under intermittent or continuous heat loads.
2. Maintaining Stable Performance: Bio HT PLA has a Vicat softening temperature of 160°C and a heat distortion temperature of 115°C, significantly higher than standard PLA, PETG, and many ABS materials. In applications where traditional PLA deforms rapidly, this PLA maintains stable performance and functional integrity. When selecting filament, the following thermal parameters should be considered: Glass transition temperature (Tg): the critical temperature at which a polymer transitions from a rigid to an elastic state; Heat distortion temperature (HDT): a measure of the degree of deformation of a material under stress; Vicat softening temperature: the temperature at which the surface and structure of a material begin to soften; Melting temperature: the temperature at which the polymer becomes liquid.
3. Competitiveness with Engineering Plastics:
Nylon materials such as PA12 are widely used in industrial 3D printing tools due to their excellent heat resistance (Vicat softening temperature is typically around 180°C). However, most nylon materials are based on fossil fuels and require higher temperatures, controlled environments, and humidity management during printing.
While Bio HT PLA cannot completely replace high-end nylon under extreme conditions, its bio-based form achieves considerable thermal stability and can be easily printed on open-type extruders. Bio-based alternatives such as PA11 exist, but their filament forms are scarce and often more expensive and difficult to print.
For most industrial users, Bio HT PLA is a pragmatic compromise: it meets the heat resistance requirements of most tooling fixtures while effectively reducing environmental footprint.
4. Mechanical Strength and Print Quality In addition to thermal stability, Bio HT PLA also possesses excellent mechanical properties. Its tensile modulus is approximately 5100 MPa, and its tensile strength is approximately 53 MPa, resulting in rigid, solid parts with excellent dimensional stability. As a PLA-based material, its impact resistance is also outstanding, making it suitable for functional applications rather than simply decorative parts.
The printed surface of this filament has a semi-matte finish, effectively concealing layer textures. This visual effect reduces post-processing requirements, resulting in a professional-grade appearance immediately after printing. In industrial environments, where appearance and function are often equally important, this advantage is highly significant.
5. Quantifiable Sustainability Certification: Filamentive is ISO 14855 certified, confirming its biodegradability under controlled industrial composting conditions. It's important to note that, like all PLA materials, it is not suitable for home composting or landfill degradation, but this certification provides verifiable sustainability data.
The filament is packaged in fully recyclable cardboard spools and is FDA food contact certified, further expanding its application scenarios. For organizations that need to track their environmental impact, these characteristics give BioHT PLA a significant advantage over traditional engineering plastics.
6. Printing Parameters and Availability: BioHT PLA is designed for low warpage and high reliability printing. Typical nozzle temperatures are approximately 215°C (tolerance ±25°C), and print platform temperatures are adjustable from room temperature to 50°C. This flexibility allows it to be used on most standard FDM printers without requiring a closed print chamber. Currently, this material is available in black, gray, and white, covering the most common color requirements in industrial applications.
7. A New Benchmark for Sustainable Engineering Filaments:
Bio HT PLA proves that sustainability and industrial-grade performance are not mutually exclusive. By incorporating high heat resistance, mechanical strength, and printability into bio-based, high-temperature resistant polylactic acid, Filamentive offers a highly competitive alternative to ABS and nylon for numerous applications.
For companies looking to reduce reliance on fossil-based materials without compromising functionality, Bio HT PLA is poised to quickly become the material of choice in professional and industrial 3D printing processes.
