eSUN Unveils PEBA Foam 3D Printing Material with 70% Resilience, Tailored for Footwear Applications

The 2025 Formnext Shenzhen exhibition drew more than 20,000 professional visitors onsite, with Panda3dp.com’s livestream attracting over 34,000 viewers.

During the event, Panda3dp.com visited eSUN, a leading Chinese materials developer. Manager Qu explained that while rigid materials still dominate current 3D printing adoption, eSUN has been systematically expanding its elastomer portfolio—developing FDM-compatible TPU filaments in multiple hardness grades, launching PEBA filaments, and pioneering foamed variants. In parallel, the company is introducing flexible photopolymer resins, leveraging more than two decades of accumulated expertise in material synthesis and modification.

Founded in 2002, eSUN has long been dedicated to environmentally friendly materials, building a closed-loop industrial chain. In 3D printing, its two main pillars are filaments and photopolymer resins. At this exhibition, flexible filaments and recycled lines were a focal point.

1. New Launches: PEBA 90A and PLA Clear

· PEBA 90A: A new flexible elastomer with exceptional rebound and low-temperature toughness.

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1kGYWzMEA8?t=0.0

· PLA Clear: A high-transparency PLA. Thin-walled prints achieve crystal clarity, while thick-walled parts display a unique texture—offering novel options for creative design.

2. Aesthetic and General-Purpose Filament Portfolio

eSUN also showcased its popular aesthetic and general-use lines, including PLA+, PLA Silk, and dual- or tri-color filaments in rich palettes. A highlight was a shadow-puppet artwork produced in collaboration with a design brand, combining material technology with traditional cultural art.

3. Technical Focus: Flexible Elastomers and Disruptive Foaming

· TPU Filament Range: Covering the full spectrum from Shore 60A to 95A, meeting needs from ultra-soft to semi-rigid.

· PEBA Filament:

o Rebound Performance: Up to 70% rebound, outstanding in the FDM domain.

o Low-Temperature Toughness: Retains impact resistance at –40°C, superior to nylon (PA) and TPU.

o Lightweight: Naturally low density combines lightness with strength.

· In-Situ Foaming Technology:

o Ultra-High Expansion: Foaming ratios up to 220%.

o Tunable Properties: Adjusted via printing speed and temperature to achieve varying hardness, density, and cushioning.

o Economic Advantage: “One spool of foamed filament yields more than two spools of volume in finished parts,” noted Qu, dramatically reducing cost per unit.

o Resilience: Even after foaming, materials retain excellent rebound—up to 60%.

4. Photopolymer Resins: Biobased and Flexible Variants

In photopolymers, eSUN’s biobased resins remain in strong demand. Its water-washable and high-transparency grades have become bestsellers. New flexible resins were also on display, including a full shoe printed entirely from a single piece, showcasing extreme softness and elasticity—opening new possibilities for footwear and other consumer products.

eSUN’s exhibition presence underscored its role as a veteran innovator in 3D printing materials. Rather than chasing fleeting trends, its strategy reflects a deep understanding of material science and systematic development. From vibrant aesthetic filaments to PEBA elastomers with exceptional rebound, and from disruptive in-situ foaming with 220% expansion to flexible photopolymer resins, eSUN is steadily expanding the boundaries of FDM and resin 3D printing. Most notably, foaming technology stands poised to transform consumer goods manufacturing—delivering lightweight, high-performance cushioning for midsoles and protective pads, and heralding a new wave of applications in footwear and beyond.