After the arrival in space of I’m green™ plastic for the 3D printing of tools, astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) now may start using, by 2018, a recycler of plastic objects and packaging that would improve the autonomy and sustainability of future missions beyond our planet.
The initiative represents an expansion of the “Printing the Future” project, a partnership between Braskem and Made In Space, the U.S. based leading developer of 3D printers for operation in zero gravity and a supplier to NASA. This will be the first commercial plastic recycling operation in the history of space missions.
Last year, the partnership adopted Green Plastic, a bio-based resin made from sugarcane, for the printing of tools and spare parts by astronauts. The recycler, which should reach the ISS in the latter half of 2018, will complete the plastic cycle with innovation, efficiency and sustainability. The invention will help cut the costs of space missions and reduce the weight of payloads carried from Earth.
“There is significant potential for plastic recycling on the ISS. For example, food packaging can be used to make objects for use by astronauts instead of being discarded. In the future, the recycler and the 3D printer will form a single package that will increase the autonomy and sustainability of long-duration space missions,” said Andrew Rush, Made In Space President & CEO.
The machine consists of a plastic crushing and extrusion system that produces a filament that can be used by the 3D printer already installed on the ISS. The recycler will allow astronauts to, among other applications, use the Green Polyethylene tools and parts previously fabricated by the 3D printer, as well as other plastic materials already on the ISS that no longer are being used, such as food packaging.
“Taking the first plastic recycler into space is a massive challenge and a source of great pride for Braskem. This second phase of our partnership with Made In Space will close the plastic cycle sustainably, from the production of Green Polyethylene made from sugarcane to the recycling of polymers for other applications,” said Patrick Teyssonneyre, Director of Innovation & Technology at Braskem.
Wecycle Platform
Here on Earth, Braskem also develops recycling initiatives and encourages plastic reuse through the Wecycle platform, which was created to foster the development of businesses that add value to post-consumer plastic waste. The initiative reinforces the company’s commitment to the plastics chain in Brazil by encouraging the development of products with recycled content, while ensuring technical quality, reliability and environmental and social values for the entire sector.
To strengthen partnerships with clients, recyclers and brand owners, as well as develop new applications for recycled resins, Braskem has a dedicated recycling team and the Wecycle platform. Companies such as Grupo Pão de Açúcar (GPA) and Muzzicycles already have developed new plastics recycling solutions made possible by the integration of various links in the production chain.
About Green Plastic
I’m greenTM polyethylene is made from ethylene derived from sugarcane ethanol. Its major differential is helping to reduce greenhouse gases emissions by capturing carbon dioxide during the production process. It also has the same properties of traditional polyethylene, which means it does not require adaptations to machinery while being 100% recyclable. Braskem’s Green Plastic plant has production capacity of 200 kton/year.
About Braskem
With a human-oriented global vision of the future, the 8,000 Team Members of Braskem strive every day to improve people’s lives by creating sustainable chemical and plastic solutions. It is the largest resin producer in the Americas, with annual production of 20 million tons, including chemical products and basic petrochemicals, and revenues of R$55 billion in 2016. It exports to clients in approximately 100 countries and operates 41 industrial units, located in Brazil, USA, Germany and Mexico, the last in partnership with the Mexican company Idesa.
About Made In Space
Made In Space, Inc. (MIS) is the world’s most experienced space manufacturing company. Established in 2010 and with offices in Florida, California, Alabama and Ohio, MIS leverages the unique properties of the space environment to develop manufacturing solutions to commercial, industrial, research and defense challenges. The company’s vision is to enable the future of space exploration by offering off-Earth manufacturing capabilities.
