Chulalongkorn University has developed an innovative recycling technology to transform discarded fishing nets into 3D-printing filament. This initiative aims to reduce marine waste, support a circular economy, and boost income for local fishing communities. By turning a deadly ocean hazard into high-value industrial materials, researchers are demonstrating how technology can solve pressing ecological crises.
The Deadly Threat of Ghost Nets
Dr. Nuttapol Risangud, a lecturer at the Petroleum and Petrochemical College, initiated the project after observing plastic waste and discarded fishing nets scattered along shorelines. Known as “ghost nets,” these abandoned nets drift aimlessly through the ocean and continue to trap and kill marine animals.
Furthermore, sunlight, waves, and the marine environment degrade these nets into microplastics, which subsequently disperse and accumulate in the seawater. These microplastics are ingested by plankton and young aquatic animals, move progressively up the food chain to larger marine life, and can ultimately reach humans through the consumption of seafood.
A Three-Pillar Approach for Sustainability
The project, titled “Development of a Prototype Innovation for Recycling Nylon from Fishing Nets in 3D Printing Technology,” began operations in June 2025. It is supported by research funding from the Center of Excellence on Petrochemical and Materials Technology (PETROMAT), with research collaboration and recycled nylon pellets provided by UBE Technical Center (Asia) Co., Ltd.
Dr. Nuttapol outlined three primary objectives for the research:
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Academic: Developing recycled plastics for 3D printing requires deep knowledge of polymer chemistry, as researchers must adjust formulations and use additives to match the quality of conventional virgin plastics.
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Environmental: Creating a new application for old nets increases their value and market demand, which encourages more recycling activity and reduces the volume of ocean waste.
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Community: Providing fishing communities with knowledge on preliminary processing—such as washing, drying, and grinding—enables fishermen to add value to their discarded materials and sell them in a higher-quality form.
The Four-Step Transformation Process
Converting waste into ready-to-use filament for Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printers involves a systematic, multi-stage process:
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Sorting and Cleaning: Debris like lead, buoys, foam, ropes, sand, and shells must be removed before the nets are thoroughly washed. This step is a critical “pain point” because it requires large amounts of water and space.
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Shredding and Sizing: Clean and dry nets are fed into a grinder to reduce them into small plastic flakes of an appropriate size.
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Melt Compounding: The flakes are melted, blended with additives to improve their properties, and formed into recycled plastic pellets. Dr. Nuttapol explained that pelletizing first is necessary to control quality and consistency, as each batch of collected nets has an unknown origin.
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Filament Extrusion: The pellets are melted again and extruded through a die and a puller, producing a long filament strand with a consistent diameter of approximately 1.75 mm.
Future Applications and Material Advantages
The recycled filament offers a distinct environmental advantage by clearing waste discarded in Thai seas and creating financial benefits that flow back to the original source—the fishing communities. Technically, the research team can tailor the filament’s properties using appropriate additives, achieving mechanical strength and printability comparable to new-material filaments.
Looking ahead, Dr. Nuttapol plans to use this recycled material to develop prototype components for the automotive sector, specifically motorcycle parts. This niche market demands materials that provide both high strength and light weight, demonstrating the high-performance potential of recycled ghost nets.
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