Aectual relies on a data-driven 3D printing process from waste for sustainable interior design.
By using recycled materials, waste quantities and CO₂ emissions are reduced.
3D printing enables customized designs and more efficient resource utilization.
Sustainable 3D Printing: Aectual Transforms Waste into High-Quality Interiors.
Europe is increasingly moving towards a fully circular economy. To meet legal requirements, more and more companies are opting for sustainable design of their buildings. The start-up Aectual creates interiors through a data-driven 3D printing process from waste, setting new standards in the construction industry.
"We want to shift the focus away from what 'sounds green' to what actually 'is green'," says Hans Vermeulen, CEO and co-founder of the company.
Aectual uses plastic from the sea and used packaging as valuable raw materials for 3D printing interiors. The products coming out of the printers are by no means inferior compared to conventional interiors. The fact that floors, facades, and acoustic panels are made from plastic waste is not obvious. The Amsterdam-based company is thus progressive and was recently awarded the Fit For the Future Certificate by Vodafone Business.
Companies and institutions in Europe will increasingly focus on sustainability in the coming years, particularly with the aim of sustainable, circular products under the EU's Green Deal. Attention to the circular economy is also present at the national level.
The construction industry still has a long way to go. "In the past, as an architect, you were focused on designing designs that would last a long time," says Hans Vermeulen. "Today, however, hotels, shops, and offices change their interiors on average every five to seven years. It's a shame if all the materials used then end up in landfills. With our solution, buildings are brought up to date in a sustainable way."
The benefits of 3D printing are not only in waste reduction but also in CO₂ emissions reduction (namely: 80 percent CO₂ reduction per cycle). The printing process itself is also sustainable. This makes it possible to create unique, customized designs for customers without creating excess stock.
Aectual also collaborates with smaller companies and young designers. "We want to open up design for everyone," explains Vermeulen. "The idea is to increasingly produce locally to significantly reduce the number of transport movements.
