3D Printing in Construction Market

3D Printing in Construction Market: Overview

• According to Transparency Market Research’s latest research report on the global 3D printing in construction market for the historical period of 2017–2018 and the forecast period of 2019–2027, increase in investments in the building and infrastructure to construct attractive and complex shape buildings at an affordable cost in less time is expected to boost the global market during the forecast period
• In terms of revenue, the global 3D printing in construction market is estimated to reach a value of ~US$ 280 Mn by 2027, expanding at a CAGR of ~33% during the forecast period 

Adoption of 3D Printed Buildings in Developed Countries: A Key Driver

• 3D printing in construction is one of the important segments of Industry 4.0, as programming is helpful to construct complex structures accurately, which makes the process of 3D printing easy and rapid. Adoption of this technology offers multiple advantages to construction and architecture sectors.
• Use of the 3D printing technology is helpful in constructing building and infrastructure accurately and cost efficiently, with reduced wastage of material and in less time compared to the traditional construction method
• In 3D printing, various types of materials are used, which include concrete, plastics, metals, composites, and polymers. 3D printers have the capability to use these materials in the extrusion process, which is a type of a 3D printing method gaining traction among multiple manufacturers, owing to its high operational speed and accuracy.
• Several construction companies are realizing the potential of the 3D printing technology and its future impact on the construction sector, due to which they are increasingly adopting 3D printing
• Thus, increase in use of the 3D printing technology to build cost-efficient buildings and infrastructure in less time is anticipated to be a prominent factor driving the global 3D printing in construction market during the forecast period 

Increased Flexibility in 3D Printing Operations Using Software Updates: Market Trend

• In the 3D printing technology, along with hardware and materials, software is also an important element required for the development of industrial 3D printing operations
• The year 2018 witnessed rising awareness regarding significance of software for various features of the 3D printing process, from simulation to workflow and security
• With technological advancements, the capability of simulation software is upgraded to achieve advanced simulating printing, and to attain better coordination between simulation software and industrial printing parts. This helps to increase process reliability, optimize machine performance, and reduce material waste.
• Since multiple companies are focusing on the expansion of their business operations, focusing on software is also becoming important for managing and streamlining the 3D printing process at all stages
• For instance, in December 2018, AMFG, a U.K.-based company, announced a strategic partnership with Israel-based LEO Lane Ltd. that offers IP protection and file security solutions for the additive manufacturing industry. The move was intended to offer customers a secure solution for 3D printing workflow management.
• Hence, focus on software updates for 3D printing operation is expected to gain traction from 3D printing companies in the near future. This, in turn, is likely to boost the global market during the forecast period. 

High Initial Investments for Equipment Purchase a Major Challenge for Global Market

• 3D printing in construction is a new technology and it is being adopted progressively across the globe
• However, one of the major concerns about adoption of 3D printing in the construction industry is requirement for high initial investments to purchase equipment and materials. Industrial 3D printers are highly expensive, which makes this process expensive at the initial stage.
• Additionally, materials used in industrial and commercial printers are expensive compared to those used in the traditional construction methods. The impact of this factor is expected to be medium during the forecast period. 

3D Printing in Construction Market: Competition Landscape

• Detailed profiles of providers of 3D printers in construction have been provided in the report to evaluate their financials, key product offerings, recent developments, and strategies
• Key players operating in the global 3D printing in construction market are
  • Apis Cor
  • COBOD International A/S
  • Contour Crafting Corporation
  • CyBe Construction
  • ICON
  • MUDBOTS 3D CONCRETE PRINTING
  • LLC
  • MX3D
  • WASP CSP S.r.l.
  • XtreeE
  • Yingchuang Building Technique (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. (WinSun) 

3D Printing in Construction Market: Key Developments

Key providers of 3D printing in construction, such as CyBe Construction, ICON, and Apis Cor, are focusing on the construction of cost-efficient 3D printed buildings to attract more customers. Some other key developments in the 3D printing in construction market are as follows:

• ICON is focusing on the construction of buildings by developing 3D printing robotics, advanced materials, and software to build cost-efficient houses in less time. In 2018, the company built a 3D-printed home in Austin, the U.S., at an affordable price in 24 hours.
• In June 2019, the UAE Government announced its plans to construct approximately 25% of new buildings in Dubai as 3D printed buildings by 2025. In order to achieve this target, the company has selected CyBe Construction.

In the report on the global 3D printing in construction market, we have discussed individual strategies, followed by company profiles of providers of 3D printers. The ‘Competition Landscape’ section has been included in the report to provide readers with a dashboard view and company market share analysis of key players operating in the global 3D printing in construction market.