Abstract Extruder‐based 3D printing is a flexible and efficient technique for processing polymer materials. This method is also attractive for the fabrication of products from biodegradable and recycled polymers, thereby supporting the development of more sustainable solutions to address environmental concerns. Both biodegradable and recycled polymers have significant potential for producing high‐quality 3D‐printed parts, provided that their properties and characteristics meet the requirements of extruder‐based 3D printing. However, challenges remain regarding the application of these materials, including issues related to cost, availability and material collection. Furthermore, physical behaviors such as melting, self‐nucleation, physical aging, relaxation and crystallization play a crucial role during and after the 3D printing process. These phenomena influence the formation of the internal structure and, consequently, the final properties of the printed products. The impact of these physical behaviors can vary significantly depending on the specific polymer used. Therefore, future research should focus on comprehensive investigations of the structure–property relationships under extruder‐based 3D printing conditions to advance the application of biodegradable and recycled polymers in additive manufacturing and other advanced manufacturing fields. © 2026 The Author(s). Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Zhang et al. (Tue,) studied this question.