Session: 03-20-05: Manufacturing: General

Paper Number: 145327

145327 - An Exploration of 3d Printing's Contribution to Responsible Consumption and Production (Sdg 12) 

In 2015, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly established seventeen different sustainable development goals (SDGs) that outlined principles and objectives which tackled challenges of diverse nature around the world and achieve the set-out targets by 2030. On the other hand, 3D printing has been attributed as a game changer for the manufacturing sector. It is due to the disruptive nature of this technology where conventional design to manufacture principles are not strictly applied. It has been observed that inherent nature of 3D printing can positively contribute towards achieving these global challenges. The 3D printing contributes towards achieving multiple goals from the SDGs in many interactions.

This article examines the role of 3D printing technology in contributing to the 12^th Sustainable Development Goal of “Responsible Consumption and Production”. Through a comprehensive literature review and empirical analysis, the study explores various aspects of 3D printing's impact on sustainability, including resource efficiency, waste reduction, circular economy practices, localized production, customization, longevity, and energy efficiency. Key findings suggest that 3D printing offers significant potential for improving sustainability across industries such as construction, packaging, supply chain management, healthcare, and manufacturing. The synthesis of findings reveals a high impact relationship between 3D printing and SDG 12, with measurable effects on efficiency improvements, waste reduction, and environmental conservation. Challenges and considerations for future research are also discussed, highlighting the need for long-term environmental impact assessments, integration of social sustainability factors, regulatory frameworks, technological advancements, and economic accessibility. By addressing these research areas, the article highlights the potential of 3D printing to contribute to sustainable development goals and foster a more stable future.

Presenting Author: Salman Pervaiz Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Pervaiz received his PhD in Production Engineering from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden in 2015. While pursuing his PhD, Dr. Pervaiz has worked on a Swedish Industry (Accu-Svenska AB) supported project for the development of an advanced minimum quantity cooling lubrication (MQCL) system to facilitate the sustainable environment friendly machining of aeronautic titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V). Dr. Pervaiz’s research is mainly focused on the advanced topics of sustainable manufacturing. The research has made significant contributions in the field of environment friendly machining and associated numerical simulations. The research also incorporated novel computational fluid dynamic model to study the influence of cooling media and temperature distribution in the metal cutting process. The research outcomes have advanced the state of the art in the metal cutting to make machining more environment friendly in nature.

Dr. Pervaiz has taught several undergraduate and graduate level courses in the broader area of design and manufacturing. His teaching methodology incorporates the element of experiential learning by providing students the opportunities to gain ideas of multidisciplinary team work and hand on experience.

Authors:

Maryam Hasaballah Rochester Institute of Technology - Dubai
Salman Pervaiz Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai