Stratasys Puts Sustainability Front and Center in 3D Printing

Stratasys Ltd. is establishing its ‘Stratasys Sustainability’ function and appointing Rosa Coblens as vice president of Sustainability. Stratasys says a commitment to a circular economy, climate action and social impact is paramount to building on its 30+ years of leadership in polymer 3D printing.

Stratasys CEO Dr. Yoav Zeif indicates that now is the time for mindful manufacturing. “The new global economy requires companies to adapt and overcome unexpected challenges, while maintaining a commitment to environmental stewardship,” he says. “Stratasys is well-positioned to provide production and manufacturing solutions that are resilient, empower local supply chains, and most importantly save lives. For example, during the pandemic we were able to repurpose our ecosystem to support the design, manufacture and delivery of vital personal protective equipment and ventilator parts to the healthcare industry.”

“It is our mission to translate our leadership in 3D printing into mindful business applications for our customers—where less waste is produced, and more value derived from the digital processes that drive our manufacturing solutions,” Zeif says. “This approach is aimed at assisting our customers in reducing their carbon footprint, with less dependency on mass shipment of inventories and parts, shortening and localizing supply chains across industries such as aerospace, automotive, healthcare and consumer products.”

To advance its commitment to sustainability, Stratasys joined the Additive Manufacturer Green Trade Association as a founding member, with Coblens serving on the AMGTA board of directors. The AMGTA is a new global trade organization launched in November 2019. The AMGTA is a non-commercial, unaffiliated organization open to any additive manufacturer or industry stakeholder that meets certain criteria related to sustainability of production or process. Part of the AMGTA’s mission is to commission research that highlights the sustainable uses of additive manufacturing.

“Stratasys’ founding member status is critical to our organization’s mission to advance sustainability in additive manufacturing as we secure a selective group of market and industry experts to represent and advance our work to report on the environmental benefits of additive manufacturing,” says Sherry Handel, executive director of the AMGTA. “Our goal is to introduce new lifecycle analysis research projects in additive manufacturing that clearly measure impact and increase the world’s understanding of 3D printing as critical to the global manufacturing industry’s move towards greater sustainability.”

Stratasys also identified four UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the cornerstones of its purpose-driven sustainability efforts. Measurable goals are being designed as part of Stratasys’ 2022 focus areas:

• Responsible Consumption and Production. Additive manufacturing can be a more efficient production method, alongside a growing use of recycled and renewable materials. Stratasys is committed to innovation in reduced waste, reused materials and recycled packaging.
• Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. Stratasys intends additive manufacturing to enable designers, engineers and manufacturers with local, on-demand capabilities that empower companies and organizations of all sizes to improve quality of life everywhere.
• Climate Action. Stratasys is committed to reducing not only its own carbon footprint but to making it easier for customers to do so when using Stratasys’ products, as well.
• Quality Education. Stratasys is committed to ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and learning opportunities for everyone, advancing ‘learning by making’ opportunities, and leveraging our technology to empower students. 

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.

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