The present invention relates to a method for making a three dimensional carbon structure and also to a sintered article comprising pyrolysed carbon particles. The method comprises sintering a powdered organic material, preferably using selective laser sintering, to form a sintered three dimensional structure having a desired shape. The sintered structure is then pyrolysed to form the final carbon structure. The method is particularly useful in the production of biomedical implants such as bone scaffolds and joint replacements. In some embodiments, the powdered organic material is lignin which provides a renewable and highly cost effective starting material for the method of the present invention.