Building Tomorrow: Exploring the Future of Construction 3D Printing
Navigating the Complex Landscape of a Transformative Technology
Image from the construction of Germany’s first 3D printed building.
By Alexander Cameron
What is Construction 3D Printing Industry?
The construction 3D printing industry involves the production of houses using 3D printing technology. With the first 3D printed house hitting the market in 2018, the industry is brand new, and the technology is developing every day. There are many startups looking to disrupt the construction industry, each with unique technology from the printer design to the materials used for printing. Despite the numerous companies in this space, there are only a few hundred 3D-printed houses globally, as the majority of these companies are in the stages of printing their demo houses.
Potential
Although the industry is new, there is great potential for this technology. Its value in the global market reached $190 million (USD) in 2021, and it is expected to increase to $680 million (USD) by 2030. There are many drivers pushing this industry.
Traditional construction creates an estimated third of the world's overall waste, and at least 40% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. In contrast, construction 3D printing has the possibility of decreasing waste by up to 60%. As the technology continues to be refined, new materials are being developed to replace carbon-rich cement, including low-carbon 3D printable cementitious mixtures and even carbon neutral materials like geopolymer.
This technology also reduces the workforce cost and time required to complete the project by up to 70%. This reduction is significant considering that about 98% of construction projects incur cost overruns or delays. Furthermore, there is an ever-increasing need for housing, as the US market alone is nearly 4 million homes short of buyers’ demand.
Because of these advantages, 3D printing construction technology can be used globally to build anything from a development of luxury villas to post-disaster housing relief shelters. As a result of the innovations and demand for this technology, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) by 2028 is expected to be 91.5% compared to 2021.
Risks and Concerns
While the data suggests that there is potential in this industry, there are also challenges to address in the development of construction 3D printing technology. Since this industry is new, there are many startups involved in the same space trying to refine their technology to get ready to scale.
Also, similar to what happens often with new technology, the laws lag behind. As a result, most municipalities do not have any codes relating to 3D printing technology, meaning there needs to be legislation addressed before construction can begin. While some governments, like Saudi Arabia, are encouraging the industry, other governments, including the US, are slow to address these issues.
Additionally, another challenge is the initial capital expense of producing this technology. Everything from the machinery, materials, and skilled labor incurs significant costs, usually even before startups begin constructing their first house. While most startups develop business models to address the expense of this technology, the high initial cost of refining and developing the technology begs to question the feasibility and scalability of these startups in the long term.
Conclusion
The construction 3D printing industry has witnessed a rapid surge in recent years that will most likely continue for at least the next decade. With the technology’s development, there is immense optimism that this industry can transform the housing industry by reducing construction’s impact on the environment, decreasing construction time, and increasing adequate housing available to those in need.
Yet, this expansion is not devoid of challenges. Since this industry is new, there are questions of the feasibility of this technology, the sheer competition in the industry, along with the legislation challenges that need be addressed before construction can begin.
Overall, construction is more than just building houses. In the dynamic landscape of construction, the construction 3D printing industry stands as a beacon of innovation, where it has the opportunity to reshape the world and how we build within it.
Sources
3D Printing In Construction: How Does It Work | Cemex Ventures
Construction Cost Overruns: An Industry in Crisis - SmartPM (smartpmtech.com)
Top Companies Building 3D Printed Houses | All3DP Pro
3D Printing Construction Market Size & Share Report, 2030 (grandviewresearch.com)
U.S. Housing Market Is Nearly 4 Million Homes Short of Buyer Demand - WSJ
The industry creating a third of the world's waste - BBC Future
3D Printing in Construction: The Intersection Between Law and Innovation - Hurtado Zimmerman, SC