Digory: 3D Printing a Sustainable Future with Vegan Ivory Alternatives

For millennia, ivory has captivated humanity, revered as one of the world’s most precious and exquisite materials. Derived from the majestic tusks of elephants and mammoths, this substance held immense cultural, artistic, and functional value across civilizations. Ancient Romans and Greeks, for instance, not only utilized ivory (Latin: Ebur) for practical applications like dental prostheses but also developed a profound appreciation for its aesthetic qualities, laying the groundwork for a targeted hunt that would persist for centuries. Historically, ivory was a highly sought-after commodity, traded globally to craft an astonishing array of items, including ornate handles, delicate piano keys, elegant vessels, intricate jewelry, functional buttons, and cherished souvenirs. Its smooth texture, unique luster, and durability made it an unparalleled material for objects of beauty and utility.

However, this insatiable demand came at a devastating cost. The relentless pursuit of ivory fueled rampant poaching, driving elephant populations to the brink of extinction. The catastrophic decline in these magnificent animals has galvanized environmental organizations and animal welfare programs worldwide, dedicating their efforts to finding urgent and effective solutions to this pressing crisis. In this critical endeavor, innovative technologies like 3D printing are emerging as powerful allies in the fight against elephant exploitation. Leading this charge is the Austrian company Eburo, which has dedicated itself to providing a revolutionary, ethical alternative. Through their pioneering Digory material, Eburo offers a sophisticated vegan ivory that can be processed using advanced 3D printing techniques. We recently had the opportunity to speak with Eburo’s visionary founder, Thaddäa Rath, to delve deeper into the origins, properties, and future potential of this groundbreaking ivory substitute, exploring how technology can pave the way for a more sustainable and compassionate world.

The Genesis of Eburo and Digory: A Journey from Materials Science to Sustainable Innovation

My name is Thaddäa Rath, and I am the proud founder and managing director of Eburo GmbH, a company I established in 2022 with a profound commitment to ethical innovation. My academic journey began at the University of Leoben, where I pursued studies in materials science, a field that profoundly shaped my understanding of material properties and their potential applications. Following my graduation, I continued my academic career, undertaking a doctorate at the prestigious Vienna University of Technology. It was during my time in the research group for materials and additive manufacturing that I first encountered stereolithography (SLA) – a transformative 3D printing technology that allows for the creation of intricate objects with high precision. This experience proved pivotal, as it ignited my passion for additive manufacturing and its potential to solve complex material challenges.

As part of my dissertation project, I embarked on an ambitious endeavor: to develop a 3D printable replacement material for natural ivory. My goal was to create a substance suitable for the high-quality restoration of historical art objects, requiring not only aesthetic fidelity but also robust physical properties. The successful results of this research project directly led to the creation of Digory®. The name itself is a thoughtful amalgamation of “digital” and “ivory,” signifying its essence as a “digital” or digitally-created ivory in the broadest sense. The very first press release announcing Digory® garnered unexpected and widespread international interest, underscoring the enduring global concern surrounding the issue of ivory and its destructive trade. These overwhelmingly positive reactions served as a powerful catalyst, encouraging me to take the leap and establish Eburo GmbH. Our overarching mission at Eburo is to see Digory® replace traditional ivory in all its historical and conventional applications, while simultaneously exploring and opening up exciting new avenues for its use in contemporary jewelry, high-end design, and various other creative fields. We envision a future where ethical sourcing and innovative technology go hand-in-hand to create beautiful, sustainable products.

Understanding Digory®: A Biomimetic Approach to Ethical Material Science

Digory® represents a significant breakthrough as a truly vegan ivory, uniquely distinguished by its compatibility with 3D printing technologies. This particular attribute offers a multitude of advantages, unlocking unprecedented design freedom and manufacturing efficiency. Unlike traditional ivory, Digory® enables the creation of both straightforward and extraordinarily delicate, intricate objects through additive manufacturing, which are then ready for immediate use as finished products. At its core, Digory® is a sophisticated composite material, ingeniously engineered with an organic matrix that embeds finely dispersed ceramic particles. This unique composition is a deliberate act of biomimicry, drawing inspiration directly from nature’s own structural principles. It is this precise formulation that endows the material with its remarkable ivory-like characteristics, replicating the aesthetic, tactile, and physical properties of natural ivory without causing any harm to elephants or other precious wildlife.

Throughout its development, I meticulously optimized Digory® to ensure it could perform on par with traditional ivory in applications demanding the absolute highest quality. This included rigorous attention to its visual appeal, its distinctive velvety feel, and crucial physical attributes such as density, strength, and workability. To achieve this exacting standard, I maintained constant dialogue and collaboration with renowned artists and experienced restorers. Their highly trained eyes and expert feedback were invaluable, guiding the material’s refinement to ensure it met the stringent requirements of their crafts. Today, Digory® products are exclusively produced and rigorously marketed by our company, Eburo GmbH. We take immense pride in offering a material that not only provides an ethical alternative but also stands as a testament to scientific innovation and a commitment to preserving our planet’s biodiversity.

The Art of Production: SLA 3D Printing and Expert Hand-Finishing

The manufacturing process for Digory® primarily leverages Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing. Our choice of SLA is deliberate and strategic, driven by the specific demands of the objects we create. Many of our products, particularly those intended for fine art restoration or intricate design pieces, necessitate exceptionally high resolution and a remarkably smooth surface finish. SLA technology excels in these areas, allowing us to produce details that would be challenging, if not impossible, with other additive manufacturing techniques. The precision offered by SLA ensures that every curve, every texture, and every minute feature is reproduced with utmost fidelity, capturing the essence of the original ivory. Once the printing phase is complete, our products undergo a meticulous hand-finishing process. This critical stage is where the magic truly happens, as skilled artisans carefully work on each piece, imparting an authentic patina and a truly unique character to the surface. This blending of cutting-edge modern technology with the timeless expertise of traditional craftsmanship ensures that every Digory® item we produce is not merely a manufactured object, but a singular work of art. Because this specialized processing demands specific expertise and intricate knowledge, we do not sell Digory® as a raw material. Instead, our customers receive fully finished products, ensuring they benefit from the highest quality, consistency, and aesthetic perfection that our combined technological and artisanal approach guarantees.

Target Audience and Expansive Application Potential for Digory®

At Eburo, Digory® is primarily aimed at a discerning audience of artists, designers, and innovative creative minds. These are individuals who seek to integrate ethical and sustainable materials into their work, using Digory® to develop unique, groundbreaking, and visually stunning products that resonate with contemporary values. Our material empowers them to push the boundaries of their craft without compromising on aesthetics or their commitment to sustainability. The potential applications for Digory® are vast and diverse, spanning both traditional and emerging fields. In the realm of established practices, Digory® offers an unparalleled solution for the restoration of historical works of art. This includes replacing missing or damaged ivory components in antique furniture, sculptures, musical instruments, and decorative objects, ensuring historical accuracy and preserving cultural heritage without contributing to the illegal ivory trade. Furthermore, it holds significant promise for the production of new musical instruments, particularly for components where ivory’s unique tactile properties were once indispensable.

Beyond these traditional uses, we foresee immense potential for Digory® within the dynamic design market. Thanks to the extraordinary design freedom afforded by additive manufacturing and the inherent aesthetic appeal of Digory®, our material is ideally suited for creating exquisite jewelry pieces, bespoke interior design elements, and high-end consumer products. Imagine finely detailed necklaces, intricately designed architectural models, or luxurious decorative accents that boast the look and feel of ivory, yet are entirely guilt-free and sustainably produced. The ability to customize complex geometries with 3D printing allows designers to explore forms and structures previously impossible with traditional ivory carving, opening up entirely new creative horizons. Digory® thus stands as a versatile material, ready to transform both historical preservation and future-forward design.

A Concrete Example: Revolutionizing Piano Keys with Digory®

To illustrate the profound impact and practical application of Digory®, let’s delve into a specific use case: piano keys. For centuries, ivory has been the material of choice for piano keys, and for good reason. Even today, despite advancements in polymer technology, high-quality plastic coverings, such as those made from PMMA, simply cannot replicate the unique, velvety touch and subtle friction that natural ivory provides. This tactile quality is exceptionally important for musicians, particularly when performing fast, complex pieces. The natural porosity of ivory allows it to absorb moisture from the fingers, preventing slippage and providing consistent grip, which is crucial for precision and control. Without this, a musician’s fingers can easily slide, disrupting their performance and focus. Recognizing this critical need, we at Eburo have made significant strides.

For several weeks now, we have proudly seen the first piano equipped with Digory® key coverings installed and actively in use. This pioneering instrument is located in a dedicated rehearsal room within the Musikquartier 1070 in Vienna, a hub for musical creativity. While the visual design and color of the keys are important, the primary focus of this real-world test is the playing feel – the responsiveness and tactile feedback that musicians experience. This critical feedback can only be accurately gathered through practical, extended use and in close collaboration with both instrument manufacturers and professional musicians. The rehearsal room featuring the Digory® keyboard is open for booking at any time, allowing a diverse range of pianists to interact with and assess the material. Over the course of a year, we will be receiving regular, structured feedback from these musicians, who complete a comprehensive questionnaire after their sessions. This data will provide invaluable insights into the performance, durability, and user experience of Digory® keys in a demanding, real-world environment. After this extensive year-long evaluation period, we will also meticulously assess whether there has been any discoloration, abrasion, or degradation of the material under continuous use. Based on this thorough analysis, we will then make an informed decision regarding the progression of our Digory® key coverings into large-scale series production, confident that they meet the highest standards of both ethics and performance.

Eburo’s Vision: Where Sustainability Meets Beauty

At Eburo, with our innovative Digory® material, our mission extends far beyond merely creating a beautiful substitute. We believe passionately that ethical aesthetics are just as vital as the material’s visual appeal and functional performance. Our core philosophy revolves around raising global awareness for the sustainable use of raw materials, championing practices that respect both the environment and its precious inhabitants. Digory® is meticulously manufactured using resource-efficient, high-quality methods, ensuring that every product not only meets stringent aesthetic standards but also promises exceptional longevity. This commitment to durability means that Digory® products are designed to provide lasting pleasure and retain their exquisite qualities for generations, reducing the need for frequent replacements and further minimizing environmental impact. This dedication to thoughtful production and enduring quality is encapsulated in our company motto: “Sustainable is Beautiful.” We invite you to explore more about Eburo, our vision, and our innovative products by visiting our official website.

What are your thoughts on Eburo’s innovative approach to ethical materials and 3D printing? We’d love to hear from you! Share your comments below or engage with us on our LinkedIn or Facebook pages. Don’t forget to subscribe to our free weekly Newsletter to receive the latest 3D printing news directly in your inbox. You can also discover all our compelling videos on our YouTube channel.

*Cover Photo Credit: Eburo GmbH