3D printing building construction is the process of building, altering, repairing, improving, or demolishing any structures or buildings using 3D print technology. 3D printing is a computer-controlled sequential layering of materials to form three-dimensional shapes. It is particularly beneficial for prototyping and the production of geometrically complex components.
The main types of 3D printing building construction are modular and full-building. Modular building entails generating standardised structural components in an off-site factory and then assembling them on-site. The processes used are extrusion, powder bonding, and others, and the materials used are concrete, plastic, metal, hybrid, and others. 3D printing building construction includes residential, commercial, and industrial construction.
The global 3D printing building construction market is segmented -
1) By Construction: Modular, Full Building
2) By Process: Extrusion, Powder Bonding, Other Processes
3) By Printing Material: Concrete, Plastic, Metal, Hybrid, Other Materials
4) By End User : Residential , Commercial, Industrial
The global 3D printing building construction market grew from $0.03 billion in 2022 to $0.11 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 247.2%. The Russia-Ukraine war disrupted the chances of global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, at least in the short term. The war between these two countries has led to economic sanctions on multiple countries, a surge in commodity prices, and supply chain disruptions, causing inflation across goods and services and affecting many markets across the globe. The 3D printing building construction market is expected to grow to $4.03 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of 146.3%.
The capability to build complex structures within a stipulated time for a reasonable cost is a major factor driving the demand for 3D printing in the building construction market. 3D printing building construction is cost-effective, saves time, provides more precision, is safe, cuts labour costs, is environmentally friendly, and easily helps build complex building structures. 3D printing in construction is economical in terms of material usage when compared with the traditional manufacturing process. Moreover, 3D printing reduces labour costs by 50%–80%, production time by 50%–75%, and construction waste by 30%–60%. Therefore, the economic benefits offered by 3D printing construction are expected to significantly boost the market's growth.
Major players in the 3D printing building construction market are XtreeE, Winsun (Yingchuang Building Technique), Skanska, Apis Cor, Al build, Branch Technology, Zhuoda Group, Cazza Construction Company, Contour Crafting Corporation.
A high initial capital investment requirement is anticipated to impact the growth of the 3D printing building construction market over the coming years. The high cost of 3D printers and their maintenance is a major challenge for industry players. According to Winsun 3D Builders, a 3D printing construction company, the high initial investment of 3D concrete printers is currently at a level that requires high capital and decent construction projects in order to support small and medium-sized companies to overcome the capital requirements for expansion and growth. The requirement of high initial capital to set up the process is expected to hinder the growth of the 3D printing building construction market in the forecast period.
Increasing flexibility in 3D printing operations using artificial intelligence technology (AI) is a major trend shaping the growth of the 3D printing building construction market. In October 2022, Luyten 3D, an Australia-based building and construction company providing 3D printing launched Platypus X12 concrete printer, an AI-powered mobile concrete 3D printer for application in the building and construction industry. It is one of the world’s largest printers and flexible to transform in size of 12 x 6 mobile crane in 20 minutes, which helps in expanding its capability to print large-scale structures. It has the capabilities of integrating acoustic and optical-based artificial intelligence for data-driven concrete printing. Moreover, the printer has an anti-clogging head that is patented.
In May 2022, India Cements, a company engaged in manufacturing cement, collaborated with Tvasta Manufacturing Solution, a start-up providing 3D printing for construction industry. Through this collaboration, India Cements and Tvasta would conduct research and development (R&D) and exchange technology to create new raw material formulations for 3D printing applications and provide support to major projects to create affordable and time-efficient housing solutions. Tvasta Manufacturing Solution was founded in 2016 and is focused in leveraging robotics in 3D printing platform.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the 3D printing building construction market in 2022. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the global utility system construction market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the utility system construction market are Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK, USA, Venezuela, Vietnam.
The 3D printing building construction market includes revenues earned by entities by constructing 3D printing buildings. The 3D printing building construction work performed includes new work, additions, alterations, maintenance, and repairs. The 3D printing building is constructed using a 3D printer machine that deposits material or concrete layer by layer. These are particularly used for prototyping or building complex components. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
The 3D printing building construction market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides 3D printing building construction market statistics, including 3D printing building construction industry global market size, 3D printing building construction market regional shares, competitors with a 3D printing building construction market share, detailed 3D printing building construction market segments, 3D printing building construction market trends and 3D printing building construction market opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the 3D printing building construction industry. This 3D printed building construction market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future state of the 3D printing building construction industry.