rPET - From recycled bottles | EKO MB
rPET is giving pet bottles a second life! This filament is 100% made from recycled PET bottles and therefore is one of the most eco-friendly options.
Technical informations
Thermal properties | |
| HDT-B | 70 °C |
| Vicat softening temperature | 85 °C |
| Drying settings | 65 °C for 6 h |
Filament properties | |
| Country of origin | Czechia |
| Filament density | 1.35 g/mm3 |
| Diameter tolerance | 0.05 mm |
Spool weight and dimensions |
How to store filaments
Humidity and UV light can decrease the filament quality and weaken its mechanical properties. We strongly recommend storing open filaments in a dry and dark place. You can find a complete guide on how to properly store your filament here
Where to throw print fails and supports?
We kindly ask our customers to cope with plastic waste responsibly. Failed prints, support material, rafts, or brims should be liquidated according to the local guidelines. Paradoxically, in most cases, it is better to throw this waste in the regular trash can, as most of the material waste created in 3D printing is not identified, which causes more problems than benefits in the waste sorting facilities.
rPET - From recycled bottles | EKO MB
rPET is giving pet bottles a second life! This filament is 100% made from recycled PET bottles and therefore is one of the most eco-friendly options.
This material is reserved for experienced users as it has different printing properties compared to PETG. A minimum nozzle of 0.6mm is recommended for printing with this material as well as a higher printing speed to prevent the material to clog in the nozzle (35mm/s is the slowest recommended printing speed, 70mm/s is recommended). Users and tests have reported better results with all-metal or titan hot-ends.
General information about PET :
PET is mostly used in 3D printing as a part of an ecological initiative recycling PET bottles. Most PET filaments will in fact be commercialized as rPET or rePET. Printing with PET is recommended for intermediate users rather than beginners.
Difference between PET vs PETG
PET is a filament made up of the two monomers mentioned earlier. PETG has the same monomers as PET, but it also has an extra monomer called glycol.
The addition of glycol transforms it into a completely new type of plastic, giving it more flexibility and reducing the amount of moisture it absorbs.
You might be wondering why glycol is needed when PET is already a fantastic filament. PET, as good as it is as a filament, is not without flaws. One of them is the hazing effect it has when heated. PETG contains glycol, which helps to eliminate the hazing effect. In addition, due to crystallization effects, normal PET filaments can become bristly. Adding the glycol softens the exterior of the final printout and makes it easier to grip.
To put things in perspective, PET filaments are used when you want a printout that is not soft to the touch but rather rough around the edges and rigid. If you want a flexible finish, however, PETG is the way to go.
Another significant difference between PET and PETG is how the finished product is finished. While PET prints are significantly more durable than PETG prints, they are also more susceptible to breakage. PET, unlike PETG, is more susceptible to breaking when used for 3D printing due to its higher stress tolerance. This simply means PETG is more resistant to impact than PET. Furthermore, PET is much more hygroscopic than PETG, which means it absorbs a lot more moisture from the air. You shouldn't leave any filament in a humid environment, but some filaments are particularly more vulnerable than others.
Printability of PET filament
An enclosed build chamber is recommended for printing PET, and a heated build chamber is preferred. The build surface should be free of direct and grease, which can be cleaned with ethanol or acetone before applying any adhesion promoters, such as Magigoo, 3D-Lac, or glue.
Browse all PET filaments in stock in our warehouse in Senec, Slovakia. For comparison, see also PETG and ECO.
EKO MB makes 3D printing filaments exclusively from recycled plastic. It is a good choice for makers, schools and companies that want to reduce their footprint without giving up everyday materials such as PLA and PETG. JustCreate3D keeps EKO MB filaments in stock in its warehouse in Senec, Slovakia, and dispatches orders quickly.
EKO MB is a branch of a Czech company that processes plastic waste. The raw material comes from post-industrial and post-consumer waste, which is thoroughly cleaned and filtered. The resulting regranulate has properties similar to virgin granulate, so the filament behaves much like its non-recycled counterpart.
EKO MB filaments at JustCreate3D
- rPLA – PLA made from recycled PLA: the easy-to-print option for prototypes, models and decorative parts.
- rPETG – PETG made from recycled PETG waste: tougher than PLA and suitable for functional parts.
- rPET – PET made from recycled bottles: gives a second life to one of the most common packaging plastics.
How to choose
Choose rPLA if you want the simplest printing experience and low warping. Go for rPETG or rPET when parts need more toughness and chemical resistance. Start from your usual settings for the standard material and fine-tune them for your printer.
Frequently asked questions
Is recycled filament as good as virgin filament?
The waste material is thoroughly cleaned and filtered, and the regranulate has properties similar to virgin granulate. For most everyday prints you will not notice a difference in printing behaviour.
Why can the colour differ between batches?
Colour pigments are added during production, but the input waste varies from batch to batch. The shade can therefore differ slightly, so for a large project in one colour it is best to order all spools at once.
Which recycled materials does EKO MB offer?
EKO MB offers three materials: rPLA, rPETG and rPET. You can find other environmentally friendly filaments in our ECO selection.
See all EKO MB filaments or browse the whole ECO filament range.