Fishy Filaments and Fillamentum on Making Sustainable 3D Printing Materials Out of Fishing Nets

With the world continuously warming and experts expressing fear that we may not meet the goals outlined in the Paris Agreements, sustainability is the topic of the hour in almost every industry. Additive manufacturing is certainly no exception. Though 3D printing often is touted as more environmentally friendly, the amount of plastic that is used has often put that into question. For this reason, we are increasingly seeing a drive to develop more eco-friendly materials. This is the case with Cornish startup Fishy Filaments. They are attacking two environmental concerns at once by recycling polluting fishing nets into nylon filaments, working as well with leading material manufacturer Fillamentum which is also known for its sustainable efforts. We spoke with Ian Falconer, the founder of Fishy Filaments, and Josef Doleček, the CEO and founder of Fillamentum, to learn more about the companies, the importance of sustainable 3D printing materials and their collaboration.

3DN: Could you introduce yourself and your connection to 3D printing?

IF: My name is Ian Falconer. I’m the founder of Fishy Filaments. My academic background is in mining and mineral processing, so materials rather than 3D printing as a manufacturing technology. But I also have around a decade of experience as an engineer in global telecoms infrastructure. Fishy Filaments is synthesis of those two worlds; taking ideas and technologies from both and delivering a new look at providing high performance materials without a global supply chain.

Ian Falconer (left) and Josef Doleček (right)

JD: My name is Josef Doleček, since 2008 I have been working in the field of plastics processing, first as an employee in a plastics company. In 2011, I founded a company for precision extrusion of plastics for the automotive industry. When I first became acquainted with 3D printing, I immediately felt that I could bring my experience in processing polymer materials to this field. And this is a goal I’ve been trying to fulfill since the very beginning of our 3D printing materials business through our 3D printing filament brand Fillamentum.