ELIX Polymers, a global leader in thermoplastics manufacturing, has collaborated with Repsol and Leitat on a sociotechnological project with Ayúdame3D, a Spanish social startup that promotes the social value of technology through awareness-raising programmes to help people with disabilities thanks to 3D printing.

Ayúdame3D has become a leading social entity in social technology. It creates and delivers 3D printed prosthetics called Trésdesis, free of charge to people throughout the world. It obtains financing through programmes with education centres and through CSR actions with companies: sponsorships, corporate volunteering and the creation of solidarity trophies and merchandising, as well as social impact conferences.

The project has been possible due to the collaboration with two large companies: Repsol that donated 4,000 pieces of ABS boards to the association, coming from computer equipment that would have otherwise been discarded; and Leitat, which is a technology centre of excellence. Leitat has created spools using the raw material recovered by ELIX for the subsequent 3D printing and manufacturing of Trésdesis, which are 3D printed arms for the wrist, elbow or shoulder.

Toni Prunera, Head of Business Development and R&D /IP at ELIX, comments: ‘This project has given us the opportunity to show and prove the benefits of plastic, specifically through a more efficient ABS recovery circle that has resulted in an orthopaedic application that will allow helping people who are the most vulnerable.’ Toni adds that ‘ABS is a great ally in medical applications that help to improve the health of people and society’.