3D printing in chemical engineering: A review

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing has become one of the most revolutionary and powerful tools serving as a technology of precise manufacturing of chemicals ranging from laboratory scale to large scale production. There is constant motivation towards designing new concepts of manufacturing with high efficiency. The introduction of 3D printing technology in the chemical industry has opened new horizons in the research and development of printed materials and equipment. One of the fields of technology, art, and science that is currently advancing the fastest is three-dimensional printing, and its uses are continually expanding. Three important elements play a big role in the rapidly expanding usage of 3D printing. First, as a result of lower raw material costs, increased competitive pressure, and technological developments, 3D printing is becoming increasingly affordable. Second, the rate at which materials can be printed is getting faster. Third, more types of materials can now be used with new 3D printers. A wide variety of polymers, resins, plasticizers, and other materials are being employed to make novel 3D products as a result of advancements in the chemical industry. In this review, we discuss the contribution of three-dimensional printing in the field of chemical engineering.