Valorization of Biowaste for Sustainable 3D Printing in the Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Fields: Advances, Challenges, and Future Perspectives

The use of biowaste in three-dimensional (3D) printing for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications provides a promising approach for waste valorization and sustainable manufacturing. Biowaste consists mainly of organic materials from municipal, agricultural, and industrial sources and offers a diverse range of resources for developing alternatives that are more eco-friendly than traditional materials. The potential of biowaste-derived materials in 3D printing technologies is discussed, highlighting their applications in drug delivery systems, tissue engineering scaffolds, and medical devices. Different types of biowastes, such as eggshells, marine eel fish skin, sheep wool, and lignocellulosic agricultural waste, have been successfully processed and incorporated into 3D printing processes, demonstrating their feasibility as sustainable raw materials. The unique properties of biowaste-derived materials, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, and renewability, make them attractive candidates for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. However, challenges such as mechanical properties, material consistency, and regulatory hurdles must be addressed to use biowaste in 3D printing. Future perspectives highlight the integration of biowaste-derived materials with advanced technologies, such as four-dimensional (4D) printing and smart materials, which open new avenues for personalized healthcare solutions. Comprehensive exploration of biowaste valorization has been carried out for 3D printing applications, especially in the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields, highlighting an innovative approach to sustainable materials development in these fields. Continued research and collaboration between engineers, materials scientists, and biological scientists are crucial for overcoming the current limitations and realizing the full potential of biowaste use in 3D printing for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.