Rourkela: Researchers at the National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela) have secured a patent for a low-cost, portable extruder system capable of producing composite filaments for 3D printing using recycled plastics. The NIT Rourkela team has sought to address these challenges through its filament extrusion system, which can combine plastic particles with reinforcement materials to produce filaments with improved strength and durability. "The developed filament extrusion system represents an advancement in filament production technology, offering compelling technical and commercial benefits for the 3D-printing industry. Further, the use of recycled plastic in making filament will offer substantial environmental benefits," said Prof. Sandhyarani Biswas, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, NIT Rourkela. The composite filaments developed through the system could find applications where greater strength and durability are required, while also supporting more sustainable 3D-printing practices.