Current advances and future perspectives of 3D printing natural-derived biopolymers

3D printing enables the complex or customized structures production in high speed and resolution. However, the lack of bio-based materials with user-defined biochemical and mechanical property is a significant barrier that limits the widespread adoption of 3D printing for products fabrication. Development of eco-friendly natural-derived biopolymers for 3D printing technologies and their promising application in different areas are of huge academic, and environmental interests. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art in terms of 3D printing technology using natural-derived feedstocks, including lignocellulose, starch, algae, and chitosan-based biopolymers. Special consideration is given to the development of lignocellulosic materials, i.e. cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and their derivatives as 3D printing feedstocks. A strategical development roadmap with identified material property requirements, key challenges, as well as possible solutions was proposed. It serves as guideline aiming to explore natural-derived biopolymers as novel feedstocks for different 3D printing technologies that will be potentially applied in various areas.