Filkemp Filament

Filkemp in the world of 3D printer filaments

With filaments for 3D printers, the most valuable "extra" is rarely the exotic effect. More often it's predictability: a material that behaves the same today, tomorrow, and in the next series of details. Filkemp steps right into that zone—with a selection that covers everyday models, functional pieces, and more technical prototypes without scattering the focus across dozens of variations.

Four clearly differentiated materials are present in this collection: PLA for a clean surface and stable rhythm; PETG Blend for working details; PLN (PLA-N) as a more "technical" PLA-based approach; and Nylon Blend for impact and wear when the part needs to work, not just look good.

Briefly about Filkemp as a manufacturer

Behind the 3D line is a company with industrial origins in technical polymers: Filkemp Indústria de Filamentos, SA describes its creation as a spin-off in 1998, related to monofilaments and industrial applications. Public filings for Filkemp also indicate a production scale of around 5,000 tonnes per year and 23 production lines, as well as historical context around Hoechst and the move of production to Portugal.

This industrial DNA is useful to the end user not as a "label", but as a practical result: clearly defined materials and processes that aim to reduce samples and make filament behavior more predictable between different projects and prints.

For context on the brand and partnership: 3DLarge introduces its new partner: Filkemp. 

The materials offered on the site

The Filkemp selection on the page is arranged so that selection starts from the application rather than guesswork. The PLA version is on a 1kg spool and comes in two diameters — 1.75mm — making it suitable for a variety of machines and extruders. PETG Blend is on a 1kg spool and is listed as 1.75mm in the available data, with clear nozzle, bed and blowout guidelines.

PLN (PLA-N) is positioned as a PLA-based technical material available in Ø1.75 mm, with recommended settings 200–215°C and cooling 0–50%. Nylon Blend is described as a "low temperature" nylon for around 230°C and rapid cooling, available in Ø1.75mm, and with an emphasis on smoother feed (Lubricity) and a semi-flexible nature.

PLA: clean surface and control without unnecessary drama

Filkemp PLA is the natural starting point when the goal is to turn a CAD model into a finished part with minimal "pre-adjustment". The available product data lists recommended settings of 200–215°C for the nozzle, 40–60°C for the pad, and 0–50% fan—ranges that give you the freedom to balance detail and adhesion according to the geometry.

The colour palette is also practical: Graphite Black, Signal White and brighter tones like Neon Orange and Saffron Yellow, plus calmer Green, Squirrel Gray and Sky Blue — useful when you want to distinguish versions, revisions or modular parts on the table. PLA remains excellent for visual models, non-high-stress enclosures, mock-ups, as well as small functional items as long as the environment does not require higher heat resistance.

PETG Blend: the functional balance for everyday "working" pieces

When the part needs to be more resistant than PLA, but you don't want to get into more capricious engineering polymers, PETG is the classic compromise. For Filkemp PETG Blend, guidelines are given: nozzle around 235–250°C, platform around 20–60°C and blow 0–50%, suggesting an approach where control comes from temperature and cooling balance rather than extreme settings.

In practice, PETG is often chosen for holders, clamps, housings and elements that will be used in real life - to be clamped, assembled, to absorb a slight impact. The offered colours in the available data are Graphite Black and Snow White, which is sufficient for "engineering" aesthetics and easy visual inspection of defects on the surface.

PLN (PLA-N): when the prototype needs to withstand more

PLN (also known as PLA-N) is introduced as a PLA-based engineering material for prototyping, patterning, and functional parts—scenarios where standard PLA is often too "glassy" and brittle. Recommended settings for this product are 200–215°C, 0–50% cooling and 1.75mm available diameter, keeping it close to PLA as a process, but with an ambition for a more workshop strength profile.

PLN also brings up the topic of annealing as a tool to change the thermomechanical profile, but the specific numbers vary by source and crystallization mode, so it's best to consider it as a test option, not a one-size-fits-all "magic". The colours in the available data are Graphite Black and Signal White — typical "prototype" choices.

Nylon Blend: wear, impact and vibration absorbing details

Nylon is the material that is reached when the part needs to work: guides, bushings, snap joints, elements with friction or parts that absorb vibrations. Filkemp describes its Nylon as a low-temperature extrusion nylon around 230°C with rapid cooling, adding that it is pre-lubricated for smoother feed and easier printing. 

Within this page, Nylon Blend is listed as Ø1.75 mm, with an emphasis on impact and wear resistance, as well as a semi-flexible nature — useful if you want the part to "forgive" loads rather than crack. The colours are Natural and Graphite Black, which fits practical details and prototypes where functionality is leading.

How to choose the right filament for the task

The fastest way to choose a material is to ask yourself three questions: is the appearance of the surface important, how much actual load will the part take, and what repeatability do you need. If you're after a clean outer layer, fast printing, and a low set-up threshold, PLA remains the most logical choice—especially for form-focused models, decorative parts, and prototyping. 

When the part will be in daily use — assembled, clamped, near heat, or in a more dynamic environment — PETG Blend adds durability without forcing you into complex conditions. If you're moving between "as easy as PLA" and "more technical prototyping," PLN sits in the middle as a PLA-based material for functionality. And when wear, impact and semi-flexible behavior is the goal, Nylon Blend is the natural step—with the caveat that moisture and adhesion become more critical.

Compatibility, diameter and the "small" adjustments that make the big difference

Diameter is the first check that saves hours. In this selection, PLA, PLN, PETG Blend and Nylon Blend are available in 1.75mm.  From there, the most important thing is to start within the recommended temperature window and adjust according to the specific geometry: more cooling for fine overhangs, less cooling for massive functional parts where interlayer adhesion is a priority.

With PETG, typical "symptoms" such as strings (stringing) are rarely resolved by simply dropping the temperature - more often a combination of moderate temperature in the recommended range, reasonable ventilation and well-calibrated retraction works. With nylon, the focus shifts to the first layer and the conditions around the printer: stable adhesion, limited flows and dry material, because moisture can change the surface and flow much more visibly.

Storage and repeatable result

Almost any problem that looks like a "fickle material" is sometimes just moisture. Even with PLA this can manifest as a rougher surface and unstable flow, and with nylon the effect is even more noticeable. The safest routine is simple: airtight storage with desiccant and drying at first symptoms, instead of endless profile changes.

If you work in series, repeatability also comes from habits: fixing the end of the thread, not leaving the roll "in the open" for days on end, and protecting the environment around the printer from sudden temperature changes. These are small steps that often do more than changing a nozzle or "magic" adjustments.