SAMSax—An Innovative Living Lab for the Advancement of a Circular Economy through Additive Manufacturing Technologies

Abstract

The sustainable development of products is of great interest to both industry and consumers due to various factors, such as anthropogenic climate change and the scarcity of resources and materials. In response to this, the simul+ Living Lab Sustainable Additive Manufacturing in Saxony (SAMSax) has been established as a physical experimental space aimed at improving the sustainability of products. This includes selecting resource-efficient manufacturing processes, using renewable materials, reducing energy consumption during use, and designing for recyclability. The innovative approach of the lab also integrates an open innovation process, involving present and potential stakeholders. Collaborating closely with stakeholders from industry, academia, and government fosters idea generation, provides solution approaches, and enhances acceptance and practical implementation. Methodologically, SAMSax focuses on upcycling organic and inorganic residues as well as by-products from industry and agriculture, reintegrating them as innovative components in industrial production using additive manufacturing (“3D printing”). The Living Lab provides a space for networking and active knowledge transfer through digital technologies, analyses, and collaborative developments, enabling the testing and evaluation of innovations in a real-world environment. Several potential waste materials suitable for additive manufacturing and new products have already been identified. In addition to industrial residues, materials, such as paper and wood dust; industrial by-products, such as sand; and agricultural residues, like harvest residues, are being analyzed, processed, and tested using additive manufacturing in the laboratory. In this way, SAMSax can contribute to an integrated and consistent circular economy. The research aims to demonstrate that the SAMSax Living Lab is a crucial driver of innovation in the field of additive manufacturing. Furthermore, this study contributes by presenting the Living Lab as an application-oriented research environment, focusing on innovative implementation in small- and medium-sized enterprises.