Home-FABULOUS and AMT Certify a Complete SLS Workflow for Food-Contact 3D Printed Parts
French materials developerFABULOUSand UK-based post-processing specialistAdditive Manufacturing Technologies(AMT) have jointly validated a complete workflow for producing food-contact-compliant parts using SLS 3D printing.
The process pairs FABULOUS’s DETECT PA11 bio-based polyamide material with AMT’s PostPro Pure vapor smoothing consumable, and has been confirmed by an accredited independent laboratory against both U.S. FDA 21 CFR §177.1500 and EU Regulation No 10/2011, the primary regulatory frameworks governing materials that come into contact with food. All extractable substance levels across multiple food simulants tested well within the required thresholds.
The significance isn’t just that the materials passed, it’s that the entire production chain was validated as a unit. From raw powder selection through to surface finishing, the workflow has been confirmed repeatable and scalable across AMT’s PostPro system family, giving manufacturers a documented, auditable route to compliance rather than a patchwork of individual material approvals.
Each element of the workflow addresses a distinct compliance risk. DETECT PA11 is a bio-based polyamide engineered for safety-critical environments, incorporating both metal and optical detectability, a feature designed to minimize contamination exposure in food processing and pharmaceutical lines. Vapor smoothing via PostPro Pure seals the porous surface structure that is inherent to SLS-printed parts, eliminating the microstructural gaps where bacteria can accumulate and where cleaning protocols break down.
Neither material nor post-process alone would be sufficient. The joint validation establishes that together they produce a part that is both structurally functional and surface-compliant for regulated contact applications.
“This collaboration marks a turning point for the industrialization of 3D printing in highly regulated sectors,” said Olivier Coulet, CTO at FABULOUS. “Our customers now have access to a certified, reliable solution, free from technical or regulatory barriers so they can focus on innovation.”
“Post-processing plays a critical role in achieving functional and compliant 3D printed parts,” added Dr. Konstantin Rybalchenko, Chief Scientist at AMT. “Together with FABULOUS, we have validated a complete workflow that enables manufacturers to produce parts that meet regulatory standards while maintaining the benefits of additive manufacturing.”
From Prototype to Production Line
The practical value of this validation lies in its scalability. Manufacturers in food processing, pharmaceuticals, and adjacent regulated sectors have long been able to prototype with SLS, but moving those parts into production has required extensive internal testing, regulatory consultation, and often, redesign. This certification removes a portion of that burden by providing pre-validated documentation that can be referenced directly in compliance submissions.
Source: 3D Printing Industry
