ABSTRACT
While the world is grappling with global warming, CO2 emissions and waste, AM presents opportunities to make drastic improvements. AM generates far less waste than traditional manufacturing methods during the production itself. Furthermore, owing to the ability to customize shapes using less material and competitive processes for low volumes, AM offers the possibility to tailor the quantity of products made, such as for food which also helps to reduce waste. AM also supports recycling efforts such as plastics into filament that can be used for material extrusion. Moreover, new materials have an impact such as the ability to 3D print living walls for carbon-neutral buildings, and the ability to easily create (complex) forms on location has been used to help rejuvenate nature through 3D printed beehives and artificial reefs.
