Additive manufacturing of polymer compositesPotta Thara, Yasir Beeran (Avtor) Topić Božič, Jelena (Avtor) Muhič, Simon (Avtor) additive manufacturing3D printingpolymer compositessustainabilitylife cycle assessmentsafety and environmental assessments4D printingAdditive manufacturing (AM) enables the fabrication of complex and customised, on-demand products from various materials across multiple industries in aerospace, automotive, Industry 4.0, and biomedical domains. Advancing material development, improving process efficiency, and ensuring sustainable waste management are crucial for AM to achieve its full capability as a sustainable technology. This review focuses on the recent progress in AM of polymer composites by 3D and 4D printing techniques. Their sustainability, environmental, recycling, lifecycle assessments (LCA), safety, and economic impacts have been systematically reviewed. The effect of incorporating eco-friendly materials in the manufacturing of polymer composites to enable a sustainable future has also been evaluated. The sustainability of additively manufactured polymer composites is evaluated from a social, environmental, and economic perspective. By using recycled materials in the AM processes, the environmental impact can be reduced, circularity promoted, and resources conserved. The challenges of AM techniques regarding scalability, including slow printing speeds, cost limitations, and health and environmental concerns due to the emission of toxic matter and compounds, have been addressed. It also provides a perspective on the potential role of AM in promoting sustainability and circular economic practices for a greener future.20262026-06-17 09:38:14Neznano30191UDK: 658.5ISSN pri članku: 2352-9415DOI: 10.1016/j.apmt.2026.103309COBISS_ID: 280978947sl© 2026 The Authors.