A composite material includes biodegradable and/or renewable materials such as purified milk protein recovered as a byproduct in cheese making processes. The result is a material suitable for three-dimensional (3D) printing and extrusion based polymer processing, with improved properties but that is still environmentally friendly. Purified milk protein may be used to produce composite thermoplastic materials or resins. Additional chemical modification may improve the blending of purified milk protein.

A composite material includes biodegradable and/or renewable materials such as purified milk protein recovered as a byproduct in cheese making processes. The result is a material suitable for three-dimensional (3D) printing and extrusion based polymer processing, with improved properties but that is still environmentally friendly. Purified milk protein may be used to produce composite thermoplastic materials or resins. Additional chemical modification may improve the blending of purified milk protein.