Made In Space to send plastic recycling system to support Additive Manufacturing Facility on the International Space Station

Expand

Made In Space

Braskem Recycler Made in space

Braskem Recycler.

Made In Space (MIS) is sending a plastic recycling system to the International Space Station (ISS) to supplement its Additive Manufacturing Facility already onboard.

The recycling system was developed in partnership with Braskem, a producer of biopolymers and thermoplastic resin, and has been designed to improve the sustainability of the ISS’ manufacturing capacity. Northrop Grumman’s 12^th commercial resupply mission will transport the recycling system to the ISS next month.

It works by converting plastic waster and 3D printed objects into smaller pieces which can then be heated, extruded and spooled into feedstock that can be processed on the MIS Additive Manufacturing Facility. The addition of the Braskem Recycler is automated meaning minimal crew operation is required and is also expected to reduce the reliance on feedstock to be resupplied from Earth.

Braskem has teamed with Made In Space on this project in accordance with its commitment to the circular economy concept, which has also seen the development of the sugar cane-sourced I’m green bio-based polyethylene. The partners demonstrated the ability to additively manufacture with this material in 2016 and it is also compatible with the Braskem Recycler.

“Local manufacturing resources are a crucial capability for space exploration,” commented MIS Chief Engineer Michael Snyder. “Demonstrating and validating recycling capabilities on the ISS is an important step towards developing sustainable manufacturing systems that will enable us to venture deeper into the solar system.”

“We believe that innovation helps improve people’s lives, whether here on Earth or in space,” added Fernando Musa, Braskem CEO. “On Earth, we are committed to a joint effort, involving our customers, value chain partners and society at large, to find more sustainable solutions through the use of plastic. One of them is the I’m green bio-based polyethylene, the world’s first polyethylene made from a 100% renewable source, which contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions, a greenhouse gas impacting global climate change. In space, by supporting Made In Space, we have the opportunity to contribute to reducing mission costs and optimising the transported weight.”