Sustainable Lighting: Recycled and Biobased

In this series, we invite you to take a behind-the-scenes look at Noord See Lights. We'll show you how our lamps are crafted and the materials we use. Sustainability and transparency are at the heart of everything we do, and we proudly share the story of our products and the processes behind them.

All of our products are made using PLA, a bioplastic derived from polylactic acid, which is primarily sourced from renewable resources. PLA has become one of the most popular biocomposites worldwide, valued for its eco-friendly properties and versatility.

  • Lamp en 3 rollen gerecycled filament

    The Nautilus: Crafted with biobased and recycled filament.

But what exactly is PLA made of?

  • Sugar-rich plants: PLA is primarily produced from sugar-rich plants like corn and sugarcane. These plants are chosen because they are high in sugars, which are converted into lactic acid through fermentation. This lactic acid forms the foundation of PLA.

  • Starch-rich plants: In addition to sugarcane and corn, starch-rich crops like potatoes and wheat can also be used. In this case, the starch is first converted into glucose, and then, similar to sugar-rich plants, it is fermented into lactic acid.

  • The building blocks of PLA.

Production:
The lactic acid produced is transformed into PLA pellets through various chemical processes. These pellets are then processed via extrusion into filament, a thread-like material used for 3D printing objects.

rPLA (Recycled PLA):
Although PLA is biodegradable and derived from renewable resources, it is not yet widely recycled. At Noord See Lights, we prioritize the use of recycled PLA, known as rPLA, which is made from "old" PLA. This used PLA is recycled, cleaned, and mechanically broken down into small granules, which are then extruded into new filament.

  • PLA Filament

    PLA filament: the material used to create our lamps.

The Benefits at a Glance:

  • Biobased Material: PLA is a biobased material made from renewable resources.
  • Recycled PLA: Utilizing recycled PLA (rPLA) gives the material a new lifecycle, reducing waste.
  • Minimal Waste Production: 3D printing uses only the material needed, resulting in minimal waste.

For these reasons, at Noord See Lights, we prioritize using rPLA for all our products whenever possible.

  • Noord See Lights lamp bestaande uit PLA

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