“Sustainable is Beautiful” – Eburo on Vegan Ivory for 3D Printing

Ivory is considered one of the most precious materials in the world and has fascinated mankind since time immemorial. It is the substance from the tusks of elephants or mammoths, although nowadays it is mainly the tusks of the African elephant that are captured for the production of ivory. The ancient Romans and Greeks used ivory (Latin Ebur) for dental prostheses, but acquired a taste for this precious raw material and laid the foundations for the targeted hunt for it. Ivory was traded for centuries to make handles, piano keys, vessels, jewelry, buttons and souvenirs.

The high demand drove poaching to extremes, resulting in a massive decline in the elephant population. Environmental organizations and animal welfare programs are working to find solutions to this problem. However, 3D printing can also help to combat elephant exploitation. The Austrian company Eburo is dedicated to this goal. With its Digory material, it offers a vegan ivory that can be processed using 3D printing. We spoke to the company’s founder, Thaddäa Rath, to find out more about the ivory alternative.

Even today, elephants are still hunted specifically for ivory. (Image: Pixabay)

3DN: Could you briefly introduce yourself, tell us how you got into 3D printing and how Eburo came to be founded?

My name is Thaddäa Rath, and I am the founder of Eburo GmbH, which I have been managing since 2022. I studied materials science at the University of Leoben and completed a doctorate at the Vienna University of Technology after graduating in Leoben. I first got involved with stereolithography in the research group for materials and additive manufacturing. As part of my dissertation project, I developed a 3D printable replacement material for ivory, which is suitable for the high-quality restoration of historical art objects.

Digory® was created based on the successful results of my research project. The name is a combination of the English words “digital” and ‘ivory’, because the material is “digital” ivory in the broader sense. The very first press release about Digory® aroused worldwide interest, as the issue of ivory is still a major problem today. The positive reactions encouraged me to found Eburo GmbH. Our aim is to use Digory® to replace ivory in all traditional applications and also to open up new areas of use in jewelry and design.

Thaddäa Rath, founder of Eburo (Photo Credit: Klaus Ranger Photography)

3DN: Could you tell us more about Digory®? How is it made?

Digory® is vegan ivory, which is the only ivory substitute that can be processed using 3D printing. This has many advantages because both simple and very delicate objects can be printed and are ready for immediate use as a finished product. Digory® is a composite of an organic matrix with embedded ceramic particles, following the example of nature. This gives the material its ivory character, without harming elephants or other animals.

I have optimized the material so that it can be used like ivory in areas where the highest quality is required due to its look, feel and physical properties such as density, strength and workability. During the development of Digory®, I was in constant contact and exchange with artists and restorers, who have a particularly trained eye. Today, Digory® products are produced and marketed exclusively by our company, Eburo GmbH.

3DN: In which processes can it be used? How does post-processing work?

Digory® is processed through SLA, as the objects we produce predominantly require a high resolution and a smooth surface. After printing, our products are finished by hand. This gives the surface an authentic patina. The combination of modern technology and traditional craftsmanship ensures that each piece is unique. As the processing involves special expertise, our customers do not buy raw material, but their finished products.

The combination of traditional and modern processes creates impressive pieces of jewelry. (Image: Eburo GmbH)

3DN: Who is Digory® aimed at, and where does it have the greatest potential for application?

With Digory®, we primarily address artists and designers – creative minds who use Digory® in their products to create unique and innovative products.

Traditional applications include the restoration of works of art and the production of musical instruments. Furthermore, we see great potential for the design market, such as jewelry or interior design, thanks to the design freedom of additive manufacturing and the aesthetics of Digory®.

Digory® offers numerous applications in the fields of art and design. (Image: Eburo GmbH)

3DN: Could you elaborate on a specific use case?

For example, ivory is still used for piano keys because even high-quality plastic coverings made of PMMA cannot compete with the velvety touch of ivory. This is important when playing fast pieces: the musicians’ fingers then do not slip because ivory also absorbs moisture. For a few weeks now, we have also had the first piano equipped with Digory® coverings. It is located in a rehearsal room in the Musikquartier 1070 in Vienna. In addition to the design and color of the keys, the playing feel is particularly important. We can only find this out through practical use and in collaboration with instrument manufacturers and musicians. The rehearsal room with the Digory® keyboard can be booked at any time. For a year, we receive regular feedback from musicians, who can complete a questionnaire during this time. After the year, we will also assess whether there has been any discoloration or abrasion, and then decide whether our coverings can continue into series production.

3DN: Do you have any final words for our readers?

At Digory®, it’s not just about beauty alone – ethical aesthetics are just as important to us. We want to raise awareness for the sustainable use of raw materials. Digory® is manufactured using resource-efficient, high-quality methods, resulting in products that will provide long-lasting pleasure. This is also the origin of our company motto, “Sustainable is Beautiful.” You can find out more about Eburo on the website.

Eburo combines ethics and aesthetics with its vegan ivory products.

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*Cover Photo Credit: Eburo GmbH