Pioneering Sustainability in 3D Printing, embracing the Circular Economy

Since 2022, Aectual has been at the forefront of sustainability with the launch of its innovative take back service, designed to ensure that all its 3D printed products can be responsibly recycled and upcycled. This initiative underscores Aectual’s commitment to eliminating waste and promoting a circular economy.


From Recycling to Ultimate Upcycling

Forbes magazine called Aectual’s approach ‘The ultimate upcycling, where materials are shredded and reprinted into new items, reducing CO2 in every cycle.’ With every material cycle, our data-driven designs are updated and improved, resulting in continuously better and smarter products as well.

Materials We Print With

We use a variety of waste and bio materials in our 3D printing processes, from recycled beverage cartons to wood waste. We are continuously on the lookout for new corporate partners, to develop new materials and products from their corporate waste streams. These materials are carefully selected to ensure they can be recycled and upcycled, fitting into our circular model. To learn more about the specific materials we print with, click here.

Our circular take back service:

Aectual’s take back service is designed to be both straightforward and user-friendly, ensuring a seamless experience for customers who wish to contribute to a sustainable future. Here’s how it works:

1. Return

• Customers can return their used Aectual 3D printed products to Aectual. Simply disassemble the materials and pack them into a box. It does not matter if parts are broken; in fact, this is even more convenient as it reduces shipment costs, and the material will be shredded anyway.
• Upon receiving the material, the customer is rewarded with either a 10% cashback or a 20% discount on a future purchase of a similar size.

2. Upcycle

• Aectual processes the returned items by shredding them into small chips. These chips are then stored based on material type and color, ensuring they are ready for reuse in new, high-quality products.

By following these simple steps, customers can easily participate in our take-back service, contributing to a more sustainable, environmentally friendly world and promoting smart material use.

Curious to learn more? Get in touch with our team now: inquiry@aectual.com