Innovations in Construction Technology 3D Concrete printing
The world’s first 3D-printed hotel suite is located in the Philippines. Sources: https://3dprint.com/137655/3d-printing-concrete-expand-2021/ and https://futurism.com/hotel-3d-printed-sand-volcanic-ash/ Photo Credit: Rudenko HIWAY | Anthony 24
Construction is one of the main areas 3D printing has been projected to impact substantially, all along. It also tends to be the example of choice for critics asking what happened to all those lofty architectural plans that have yet to be seen on the ground. There aren’t 3D printers in every home yet, and few of us are living in 3D printed homes or working in 3D printed office buildings despite some far-out concepts, as well as compelling international models actually coming to fruition. So is this thing really on or what?
will transform construction with a material that’s undoubtedly familiar to us all. The question isn’t whether concrete 3D printing will begin to play a large role in the construction industry, but just when and how much. Due to the benefits offered, one would imagine many in the business are scrambling to know more and figure out how they can take advantage of the new technology as it offers major savings on the bottom line, greater speed and accuracy, and will be attractive to consumers looking to buy more affordable real estate in the future.
While other sectors such as automotive, aerospace, and medical are showing huge strides, in the construction arena we’ve The study focused on what the future seen slower progress, but it’s definitely been market size is for this technology and mathere, even if just in baby steps, and much terials in construction, along with the true of these have involved building a foundation potential for growth as they examined the of impact that begins following: with the tools and mate•Product type rials. They are definitely The study shows that •Concrete type emerging, from 3D print•Software many construction ers that can make bricks •End-use companies are to drones that function •Regions as self-sustained mini and will be using construction factories. The time period they While some of this is still concrete 3D printing, examined, from 2015fantastical, the progress 2021, allows for a look and that it has also is undeniably quite subat how construction will been growing in stantial—and we see nupropel the growth of 3D direct accordance merous large delta style printing, beginning with 3D printers emerging too with the industry studying vendors and for construction, even their revenues. overall, around the playing a part in some amazing projects which “The bottom-up proceworld. may just be one-offs dure was employed to so far, but they do also arrive at the overall size answer the question with a resounding “yes, of the global 3D concrete printing market 3D printing in construction is so on.” from the revenue of the key players,” states Research and Markets. Materials, of course, are at the crux of this conversation. Perhaps we have the plans They assessed market size and then moved and the tools and are ready to erect buildon to dividing it into different segments and ings galore—but with what? Why, concrete, subsegments, further studied and verified of course. And just how this is and will be with numerous, comprehensive interviews done is the major focus of a recent study with the higher-ups in many companies, to by Research and Markets as they look at include CEOs and executives. the what, when, and where for concrete 3D printing in 3D Concrete Printing Mar“These data triangulation and market ket By Product Type, by Concrete Type, by breakdown procedures were employed to Software, by End-Use Sector & by Region – complete the overall market engineering Forecast to 2021. process and arrive at the exact statistics for all segments and subsegments,” states the Research and Markets, a research and Research and Markets team. analysis company that offers resources to companies and investors around the world, Following are some of the 3D concrete is offering their take on how 3D printing printer manufacturers, architects, contrac-
tors, and vendors they see making up the ecosystem: •DUS Architects (The Netherlands) •Skanska (Sweden) •Fosters + Partners (U.K.) •WinSun Global (China) •Sika (Europe) •LafargeHolcim (Europe) •Balfour Beatty (U.K.) •Carilliom Plc (U.K.) The study shows that many construction companies are and will be using concrete 3D printing, and that it has also been growing in direct accordance with the industry overall, around the world. As industrialization increases, along with further urbanization, this leads to expanded building of a wide range of structures around the world. The research divides the 3D concrete printing market into the following submarkets: Product Type: •Walls •Floors and roofs •Panels and lintels •Others (staircases and paving slabs) By concrete type: •Ready-mix concrete •Precast concrete •Shotcrete •High-density concrete •Others (lightweight concrete, limecrete, and stamped concrete) By Software: •Design •Inspection •Printing By End-Use Sector: •Architectural construction •Industrial construction •Domestic construction •Residential •Commercial •Others (sports, education, and healthcare) By Region: •North America •Europe •Asia-Pacific •RoW (UAE and other countries in RoW) The Research and Markets team believes that as the global economy continues to recover, further demand can be expected HIWAY | 25
