Chalmers University researchers develop 3D-printable yeast-based biomaterial

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have developed a new, fully bio-based material suitable for 3D printing. The material is composed of inactivated baker's yeast, wood fibers, algae-derived alginate, plant glycerin, and water.

By using baker's yeast—a byproduct of the food and brewing industries—the team has created a gel-like biomass that can be processed with standard 3D printers at room temperature. This method avoids energy-intensive heating and the need for support structures, reducing material waste. The resulting material can be customized in terms of color, transparency, and texture, making it a potential replacement for plastics, gypsum, or synthetic textiles in interior design applications such as wall panels and room dividers.