We produce our Orbit line using premium PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) filament, without the addition of fossil plastic resins. PHA is an innovative bio-based material produced by bacteria and is particularly interesting for applications where returning to nature plays an important role.
The material combines high toughness and strength with a calm, velvety matte finish that suits a personal and dignified farewell. Unlike materials that only break down into smaller pieces, PHA fully biodegrades without leaving behind microplastics.
Every Orbit urn is produced layer by layer with great care in our own studio. This results in a unique product where modern technology and personal craftsmanship come together.
Not every material marketed as sustainable is automatically suitable for every application.
PLA is widely used in the 3D printing world and often presented as an environmentally friendly alternative because it is made from so-called corn starch. This sounds biological and green, but the reality is more complex: the material was primarily developed for applications involving industrial composting or controlled conditions. Under normal conditions in a garden, at a natural burial ground, or in water, PLA breaks down much slower and less completely, leaving behind microplastics.
For an urn intended to return to nature, we believe a material must be demonstrably suitable for these conditions. That is why we consciously choose PHA: it possesses independent TÜV Austria certifications for biodegradability in soil, fresh water, and marine conditions.
A practical tip: In our opinion, a PLA urn without specific HOME-, SOIL-, WATER-, and MARINE-certification belongs indoors, as a lasting ornament, and not in the ground or water.
Lignin is a natural material, the second most abundant organic material on Earth after cellulose. However, in 3D printing filaments, lignin is usually not used as the main material but as an additive (typically 5–20%) in a PLA base. Therefore, it is primarily the underlying PLA matrix that determines the degradation behavior, not the lignin itself.
We choose PHA because, as a full-fledged biopolymer, it is the main raw material itself, with TÜV Austria certification for degradation in multiple natural environments. The same advice applies to lignin composites: as long as there is no HOME-, SOIL-, WATER-, and MARINE-certification, we advise keeping such an urn indoors.
When looking at biodegradability, it is important to know the difference between a test method and an official certification.
- A test method (such as ISO 14851 or 14852): measures degradation in a laboratory, usually in an aqueous solution. This does not yet demonstrate actual degradation in soil or sea.
- A certification (such as TÜV Austria OK Biodegradable): awarded by a recognized, independent body and specific to a certain environment (soil, fresh water, marine, or home composting).
The exact degradation rate cannot be predicted with certainty beforehand. It depends on temperature, humidity, oxygen, microbial activity, and the properties of the soil or water.
Based on the material properties and wall thickness, we expect that degradation, depending on the environment, could take approximately one to several years. Under less favorable conditions, this could also take several years.
Therefore, we do not make firm statements about an exact degradation time. However, you can trust that the PHA used has been developed to biodegrade through microorganisms, without leaving permanent microplastic residues.
We believe sustainability must be proven. Our material possesses:
- OK Biodegradable MARINE (TÜV Austria): Biodegradable in marine environment.
- OK Compost HOME (TÜV Austria): Suitable for home composting.
- OK Biodegradable SOIL (TÜV Austria): Biodegradable in soil (application in progress, expected October 2026).
- OK Biodegradable WATER (TÜV Austria): Biodegradable in fresh water (application in progress, expected October 2026).
Individuals can inquire about certification from Blauwdruk 3D. Full certificate documents are provided to business customers upon presentation of a valid Chamber of Commerce number.
The PHA material is bio-based, safe, and non-toxic, and safe for skin contact (according to our supplier's technical datasheet). It contains no added plasticizers or halogenated flame retardants. Do you have a specific question? Please contact us, and we will check which certification applies.
No, certainly not. We do not see ourselves as a replacement for traditional craftsmanship, but as a complement providing a more sustainable alternative.
Many makers in the funeral industry still use machines and processes that require a lot of energy. We are open to helping these companies switch to a more sustainable way of production with our 3D printing technology.
In the long term, we want to make our biodegradable base material and our design licenses available, so that other companies and funeral directors can also source and produce these sustainable products locally.
3D printing is a technique where an object is precisely built up layer by layer. This means subtle print lines are visible. This is not a defect, but a characteristic of this production method and gives each urn its own artisanal character.
Because our urns are made from a natural, biodegradable material, we advise placing the urn indoors in a dry place.
- Ensure a dry place that is always indoors.
- The material has been tested up to a Heat Deflection Temperature of over 80°C (ISO 75, at 0.455 MPa).
- We recommend avoiding prolonged, intense sunlight. Preferably do not place the urn directly behind glass in a hot south-facing window sill.
The Orbit line is available in five sizes (from 25 ml to 5.60 L), within a developed palette of 10 colors. We deliver in phases:
- Beige is directly available from stock.
- Other colors are initially tested for popularity, so the production run is more limited at first.
- Specific color or size combinations outside this assortment are currently not available for custom order.
- Product in stock (e.g., Beige): shipment within 1–3 business days.
- Product in limited edition or backorder: an average of 3–7 business days, depending on the printing time for the size.
Each urn is carefully packaged to prevent breakage or damage during transport. Once the package leaves our studio, you will receive a Track & Trace code.
Contact us immediately and send clear photos (and possibly a short video) of the damage. We will ensure that a new item is printed and sent free of charge and with priority.
Report this as soon as possible by phone or email. We will immediately check the status:
- Not yet started: we will adjust the details free of charge.
- Printing process already started (for personalized items): changing or canceling is unfortunately no longer possible free of charge.
If we suspect a typo or illogical combination ourselves? Then we will contact you before starting the printer.
- Standard models: can be returned within 14 days of receipt, provided they are unused, undamaged, and in their original packaging.
- Personalized urns: with a unique name, date, or custom text cannot be returned.
Thanks to the five sizes (25 ml – 5.60 L), our urns are suitable for adults, children, and as a tangible memento for pets. The PHA base material is bio-based and contains no added toxic substances.
Yes, that is a core aspect of the Orbit line. Thanks to the TÜV Austria SOIL/WATER/MARINE/HOME certifications, the urn can be buried (traditional grave or natural burial ground) or used for a dignified return to water. Over time, the material fully biodegrades through microorganisms.
Always check the specific rules of the relevant cemetery or location beforehand. Note: whether the material can also be fully cremated in a crematorium is still being tested.
The Orbit urns are just the beginning for us. We are constantly evolving and are already working behind the scenes on new, innovative shapes and designs.
Our ambition extends beyond urns alone. In the long term, we want to further develop our production with biodegradable materials such as PHA into a wider range of sustainable funeral products, such as fully biodegradable coffins and other ecological funeral products.
In addition, we want to actively help green the funeral industry. It is our vision to offer our unique designs on a license basis, and also to make the biodegradable base material itself available.