Renewable Additive Manufacturing Materials for Industrial Usage

Project lead

© B. Lammel | Bundesfoto GbR

Dr.-Ing. Wamai Mwangi,
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology,
Nairobi, Kenya
in cooperation with

© B. Lammel | Bundesfoto GbR

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Henning Zeidler,
Freiberg University of Mining and Technology,
Freiberg, Germany

Project description

Additive manufacturing, also known as '3D printing', produces components by applying material layer by layer. It can be used as a key technology for new business models in Kenya if the material costs, machine costs and application are harmonised.

Waste from local agriculture and production, which is abundant and inexpensive in Kenya, is also suitable as a raw material for additive manufacturing. The innovative use of this local waste therefore offers great potential for the development of biodegradable, environmentally friendly and affordable products. A sustainable circular economy can be established and contribute to economic stability and growth in Kenya.

In order to successfully transfer waste and residual materials to industrial utilisation through 3D printing, the RAMMforIU project aims to close the final gaps in research and promote university spin-offs in Kenya. A transfer centre will provide the necessary expertise in the field of additive manufacturing from bio-based residues, from the identification and preparation of suitable bio-based materials and the design of components to testing and recycling strategies. Kenyan researchers and industrial companies are supported in utilising research results commercially, whether as material suppliers, producers of end products or recyclers.

Dr Wamai Mwangi receives the German-African Innovation Award (GAIIA) for his excellent research on the use of novel bio-based materials in additive manufacturing (AM) in combination with a convincing proposal for a German-African cooperation project that further develops these research results into use-oriented solutions.

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