# Printed Biomaterial Packaging Amtopus Creates 3D-Printed Packaging from Apricot Cores By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2017-11-14 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biomaterial-packaging References: [3ders.org](http://www.3ders.org/articles/20171113-german-company-amtopus-3d-prints-packaging-from-apricot-cores-and-other-raw-bio-materials.html) Amtopus is a German company that is exploring [sustainable packaging solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holy-carp-packaging) by creating [3D-printed biomaterial packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/repit) from apricot cores and other [compostable, raw fruits and materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/echo-pads). Unfortunately, many consumer products are packaged in plastics that are non-biodegradable and filled with chemicals that will only be leeched back into the environment for years to come. Amtopus is addressing some of these problems by repurposing simple materials like the center of apricots, which are discarded by fruit processing plants. As it stands, a container that is roughly the size of a shoebox takes about three hours to print. Some of the other natural materials that are now being explored within the realm of packaging include everything from seaweed to funghi. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.5/10 - Popularity: 77% | Activity: 80% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Sustainable Biomaterial Packaging:** Creating 3D-printed packaging from compostable and raw fruits offers a sustainable alternative to non-biodegradable plastics. - **Repurposing Food Waste:** Using discarded materials like apricot cores for packaging addresses the problem of food waste while reducing reliance on traditional materials. - **Exploring Natural Materials:** The use of materials like seaweed and fungi in packaging offers environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional packaging options. ### Where This Applies - **Packaging Industry:** The packaging industry can adopt 3D-printed biomaterial packaging to provide more sustainable options for consumer products. - **Food Processing Industry:** The food processing industry can find innovative solutions by repurposing food waste, such as using apricot cores for packaging. - **Sustainable Materials Industry:** The industry focused on sustainable materials can explore the use of natural resources like seaweed and fungi for packaging applications. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sustainable 3D-Printed Packaging Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adapte-collection.md) - [Bio-Based Paper Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paper-food-packaging.md) - [3D-Printed Packaging Molds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3d-printed-packaging-mold.md) - [Soft Structural Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-project-ara.md) - [Fully Compostable Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compostable-seed-packaging.md) - [Cooling Mushroom Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mushroom-packaging-1.md) - [Plant-Based Packaging Agreements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/avantium.md) - [Recyclable Apple Packaging Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/superfresh-growers-1.md) - [Adaptable Plastic Alternatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2m-group.md)