---
title: Noticias - Ineo
description: We use BASF Ultrasint PA11 polyamide in our laser sintering processes (3D printing), a sustainable material of plant origin, which provides quality and durability to the parts we manufacture.
author: Super User
url: https://ineo.es/en/allcategories-en-gb/24-news/26-news-laser-sintering/194-ineo-plant-based-material-basf-ultrasint-pa11
---

: [Laser Sintering (SLS)](https://www.ineo.es/en/allcategories-en-gb/24-news/26-news-laser-sintering "Article Category")
: 10 June 2024

## Committed to the environment

We use BASF Ultrasint PA11 polyamide in our laser sintering processes (3D printing), a sustainable material of plant origin, which provides quality and durability to the parts we manufacture.

**What is BASF Ultrasint PA11?**

BASF Ultrasint PA11 is a high quality polyamide 11 material, derived from renewable sources (castor oil). This material is not only environmentally friendly, but also offers exceptional mechanical properties, such as high impact resistance and flexibility.

**How do you get Ultrasint PA11?**

The raw material to produce Ultrasint PA11 comes from 100% castor seed oil. The castor bean plant grows in arid places that are difficult to cultivate, in this way, its cultivation does not compete with the human or animal food chain.

The process to obtain polyamide is carried out through polycondensation, which is a chemical process through which two or more compounds are combined to form a larger molecule, releasing a small molecule such as water in the process.

Castor oil contains a high concentration of a fatty acid called ricinoleic acid. This ricinoleic acid can be extracted from castor oil and chemically modified to produce a compound known as sebacic acid. And this acid together with other chemical substances with a polymerization reaction, becomes polyamide.

**Applications**

Ultrasint PA11 is used in a wide range of applications thanks to its excellent properties, including exceptional chemical resistance, easy processing, high and low temperature performance (-40°C / +130°C), high dimensional stability and low density.

Its use stands out for manufacturing automotive interior parts, bumper components, leaf hinges, functional prototypes and spare parts, as well as medium-duty series parts.

**Sustainability**

BASF engages with castor oil (castor) farming communities in India to improve castor oil productivity by training farmers to build capacity, improve yields and reduce environmental impacts.

**Highlights that make Ultrasint PA11 a sustainable material:**

Plant origin, castor oil

Durability: Unlike disposable plastics, this type of polyamide is highly durable in its intended applications.

Lightness: lighter materials can save enormously on vehicle fuel consumption

Recyclability: Recyclable and reusable polymers through the BASF recycling program

Sustainable Markets: These polymers play enabling roles in many key applications for global sustainability, such as water filtration, solar energy, electric vehicle batteries and cooling roofs

Carbon footprint: much lower than that of Polyamide PA12

**Advantages of Using BASF Ultrasint PA11 in Laser Sintering**

The manufacture of parts with BASF Ultrasint PA11 polyamide with our laser sintering process offers multiple advantages for your projects:

Superior Durability: Stronger and more durable parts.

Improved Flexibility: Ideal for applications requiring flexible, wear-resistant parts.

Sustainability: Material derived from renewable sources, aligning with sustainable manufacturing practices.

If you need more information, please contact us.

![BASF Ultrasint PA11, plant-based material](https://www.ineo.es/media/com_sppagebuilder/placeholder/basf-ultrasint-pa11-proceso-obtencion-en.jpg)