Japan’s Kuraray has developed a 3D printing filament for use in fused filament fabrication (FFF) additive processes. The water-soluble, biodegradable filament is based on the company’s Poval polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) resin, which is conventionally used in adhesives, paints and coatings, wood primers, paper and textile applications, cosmetics and emulsions, among other areas.

Marketed under the Mowiflex brand, the material boasts excellent adhesion towards other resins such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyamide (PA), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Mowiflex filament can thereby be used as a support material for 3D-printed products incorporating undercuts, moving parts, and other complex shapes. Mowiflex is soluble in cold water.