Feiplastic ’19: Brazil offshore platforms eye PEEK 3D printers

SAO PAULO (ICIS)–Brazilian offshore oil platforms in the pre-salt are considering using 3D printers to make replacement parts out of polyether ether ketone (PEEK), managers at Solvay said.

Oil companies could save a lot of money by making replacement parts on site instead of several miles onshore, said Josimar Fazolare, specialty polymers, commercial director – South America.

He made his comments on the sidelines of the Feiplastic plastic trade show.

They could avoid the shipping costs involved with delivering the part by boat or helicopter, he said. They could also avoid having to keep a stockpile of replacement parts.

PEEK is a high-performance polymer that can tolerate the extreme conditions involved with producing oil in Brazil’s pre-salt basin.

The project is notable because PEEK is not a common material used in 3D printers. The machines typically use acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polylactic acid (PLA).

In addition, producing replacement parts in remote locations is an application where 3D printers can truly shine.

The oil is underneath several thousands of metres of water, salt and rock.

Solvay already has experience in developing polymers for 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing.

Its nylon business – now part of BASF – developed nylon 6 powders used in laser sintering, a type of additive manufacturing process.

The Feira Internacional do Plastic (Feiplastic) takes place on 22-26 April in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Interview article by Al Greenwood