3D Printing and the Circular Economy
Rethinking How We Make, Use and Reuse
About
Additive manufacturing is transforming the way products are designed, produced, and recycled — but its true potential lies in how it enables circular systems of manufacture. In this engaging and thought-provoking talk, Mike Griffin explores how 3D printing can drive sustainability by closing material loops, reducing waste, and enabling local, on-demand production.
Drawing on his work with MyPrintPod, Mike will demonstrate how distributed manufacturing, material recovery, and digital design are reshaping the relationship between consumers, manufacturers, and the environment. The session will cover real-world examples of sustainable printing models, lifecycle thinking, and how emerging technologies can support the transition toward net-zero and resource-efficient production.
This joint IET and IMechE event aims to spark discussion around the intersection of engineering innovation and environmental responsibility — showing how circular principles can be applied not just in theory, but in practice.
Join us at the University of Portsmouth to gain insights into the future of sustainable engineering and discover how additive manufacturing can help create a more resilient and regenerative industrial landscape.
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Continuing Professional Development
This event can contribute towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours as part of the IET's CPD monitoring scheme.
03 Feb 2026
6:30pm - 8:30pm
Organiser
- Solent Local Network
Registration information
Joint event with IMechE
Speakers
Professor Mike Griffin
Founder of myprintpod
Mike Griffin is an engineer, technologist and sustainability-innovator specialising in additive manufacturing, circular-economy systems, and emerging digital technologies. As Founder of MyPrintPod, Mike leads work on 3D-printing strategies that close material loops, enable localised manufacture and accelerate the transition to more resource-efficient production models.
With a proven track record across multiple domains, Mike’s experience spans product design, materials research, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), artificial intelligence (AI) and digital-manufacturing workflows. He has spearheaded initiatives in repair and sharing economies through his role at Share (Portsmouth), and remains deeply committed to the principles of #RightToRepair, material reuse and community-led manufacturing innovation.
Mike uses his cross-disciplinary expertise to bridge technology and sustainability, exploring how digital design, additive production and data-driven systems can unlock new business models in remanufacture, refurbishment and on-demand micro-manufacture. He regularly presents on topics such as sustainable materials, lifecycle optimisation, circular manufacturing frameworks, AR/VR integration in engineering and the future of intelligent production systems.
Programme
Portland Building, Room PO 0.41, University of Portsmouth
1830: Arrive & refreshments
1900: Talk begins
2000: Talk ends