3D Concrete Printing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Printing Type (Gantry system, Robotic arm), By Technique (Extrusion-based, Powder-based), By Concrete Type (Ready-mix, High Performance, Precast, Shotcrete, Others), By End-Use Sector (Residential, Commercial, Infrastructure) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2024-2032

Market Overview

The global 3D concrete printing market was valued at USD 318.12 million in 2023. It is expected to reach USD 13,248.73 million in 2032, growing at a CAGR of 51.34% over the forecast period (2024-2032). The technology allows for intricate and customized designs that may be difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional concrete construction methods. This flexibility appeals to architects, designers, and developers seeking innovative building solutions.

3D printing does not adhere to the traditional procedures for laying bricks, in contrast to the employment of robotics to increase building productivity, safety, and quality. 3D concrete printing is a construction technique that employs computer-controlled robots that can create 3D structures for structures and other facilities. The path of the printer is programmed using software like AutoCAD or SolidWorks. Layers of concrete supplied to the printer are distributed through the nozzle along the appropriate pre-programmed path. For 3D printing, many types of concrete with various material compositions are used. 3D printing makes use of ready-mix and high-density concrete with slight compositional adjustments. Large-scale 3D printers that frequently measure several meters in height and length are used in 3D concrete printing to extrude concrete from a nozzle. Typically, these machines are either gantry or robotic arm systems.

In addition to producing little waste, a concrete 3D printer drastically shortens supply chains and the number of workers required on the job site. A concrete 3D printer can also be used to complete structures to a substantially higher level of robustness and geometric intricacy. The high cost of professional labor in developed countries fuels the expansion of the worldwide 3D concrete printing market. Additionally, manual construction processes produce construction trash, triggering activities such as waste collection and demolition. The contractor's project costs and the government's collection and destruction expenses rise due to the concrete wastage. Contrarily, 3D printing produces significantly less waste than the conventional method. However, the market for 3D printed concrete is severely constrained by the high initial cost of printers, their upkeep, their operating software, and their hardware. Another problem that hinders business and technology development globally is printing size and height restriction.

Market Dynamics

Global 3D Concrete Printing Market Drivers

High Skilled Labour Cost in Developed Nations and Emphasis on Minimizing Waste Generation

It is expensive to hire skilled personnel in industrialized countries, mainly in Europe. In addition, people with experience and understanding are required for customized and unusual shapes and sizes. The total cost of the projects rises due to high labor service costs. However, the technology for printing 3D concrete allows for the cost-effective production of complicated buildings with no errors. The 3D printer may be used to create intricately formed structures in large quantities, which will reduce the need for manpower. For instance, in Dubai, the largest municipal administrative building was constructed in 2019 by the 3D printing company Apic Cor. To create the complete edifice, it only used three people, one 3D printer, and a crane. The market for 3D printed concrete is expanding globally primarily because of this factor.

Manual construction also produces a significant amount of garbage because more people are building new homes and renovating existing ones. Building walls, slabs, or pillars typically wastes some of the concrete. However, because the 3D printer has a nozzle through which concrete is precisely measured and placed, this technique does not produce waste while printing concrete in three dimensions. As a result, reducing waste production and cutting back on concrete costs during building will boost the market's growth internationally.

Global 3D Concrete Printing Market Restraints

High Cost of Capital

The 3D concrete printing service requires a significant initial capital commitment to be set up. AutoCAD and SolidWorks, two programs used to run 3D printers, are mostly to blame for the high cost of the machine. Additionally, there isn't any conventional concrete on the market that can be utilized for 3D printing. One of the main barriers to the market for 3D concrete printing is that the composition of concrete varies depending on the geographical area and the application of 3D printing.

Global 3D Concrete Printing Market Opportunities

Rapid Urbanization

It is projected that rapid urbanization and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies in developed nations would open the lucrative potential for the market expansion of 3D concrete printing. Additionally, as builders become more aware of the benefits of 3D printing, their preferences are rapidly shifting in favor of this technology for various projects, which significantly aids in expanding the global market. For instance, in December 2019, the construction companies ICON and New Story gathered money to construct 50 3D-printed homes in Mexico for low-income families. These urbanization techniques are anticipated to accelerate market expansion during the projection period.

Regional Analysis

The region-wise segmentation of the global 3D concrete printing market includes North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

North America and Europe are the two predominant regions

North America will likely command the global market. Due to the market's innovation phase, North America's 3D concrete printing market has shown significant growth. However, it is anticipated to expand quickly with advancements in technicalities and overcoming obstacles like poor finish and technical competence in the global market, with the United States accounting for most of the revenue-generating. Additionally, it is projected that a growing concentration of leading market players' efforts to create and disseminate novel 3D concrete printing processes in the area will fuel market expansion.

The American company Apis Cor is actively developing its own 3D concrete printing technology, working with numerous other organizations and businesses to build new 3D projects, and exhibiting printed prototypes at various events to raise public knowledge of the technology. For instance, MudBots exhibits its 3D printing concrete material at various shows focused on the technology and end-use industry of construction, educating attendees about the benefits of 2D printing and connecting with possible clients. Similarly, Apis Cor has participated in several exhibitions to present its work to the public. It has also participated in 3D printing contests sponsored by NASA and other organizations. The sum of all these variables is anticipated during the projected period to drive the market's expansion.

Europe has been a pioneer in innovation and using 3D printing for concrete. A significant factor in the market's expansion is the number of active 3D concrete printing construction projects in nations like Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, and Italy. Additionally, the decrease in the cost of trained labor is a crucial factor in the growth of the European market for 3D concrete printing. Quick and error-free building structure construction also pushes architects and contractors to employ 3D concrete printing technology, fueling market expansion. Furthermore, the key market participants COBOD, CyBe, D-shape, and XtreeE have a substantial presence in the European market. To increase their position in the European 3D concrete printing industry, these businesses are implementing various strategies, such as business growth, product introduction, and partnerships.

Segmental Analysis

The global 3D concrete printing market is analyzed based on the printing type, technique, end-use sector, and region. 

The fragments are robotic arms and a gantry system per the printing type. 

The gantry system section is forecasted to hold the largest market share. A Gantry system is a motor-driven linear assembly of frames or rails onto which the printer is mounted and is referred to as a gantry system. In comparison to robotic arms, gantry systems can print items that are much larger. Consequently, gantry systems are employed during building construction. In Denmark, Italy, China, and the US, gantry systems are used to construct several housing complexes. The market for gantry system printers is anticipated to expand quickly throughout the forecast period due to improvements in technology for 3D concrete printing and an increase in 3D printing building projects.

The robotic arm section will hold the second-largest share. To create intricate shapes and unique products, a robotic arm is used. The robotic arm has numerous axes and can move in different directions and pivot. The printer is better equipped to create complicated 3D items since it has more axis of freedom. Additionally, during the projection period, it is projected that greater consumer awareness of 3D concrete printing would significantly increase demand for robotics arm 3D printers, supporting market expansion.

As per the technique, the fragments are extrusion-based and powder-based. 

The extrusion-based section is forecasted to hold the largest share. Software like AutoCAD or SolidWorks controls 3D printers using an extrusion-based design. These programs specify the 3D printer's route. These printers have no restrictions and can print various mixes with low and high-flowing abilities. They also benefit from the design and construction's structural, architectural, and environmental features. This method is expected to be used more and more in 3D concrete printing as technology for printing concrete, and other materials improve. And so, these elements work together to expand the worldwide market.

The power-based section will hold the second-largest share. The production of interior constructions and building components using powder-based technology has substantially increased the demand for this type of 3D printing. These components can be put together on the building site when the installation is done. The concrete grade and printing conditions impact the strength of powder-based 3D printing. The techniques and treatments used during post-processing determine how strong the structure is.

As per the end-use sector, the fragments are residential, commercial, and infrastructure.

The residential section is forecasted to hold the largest share. Builders and contractors choose 3D printing to understand better the technology for producing concrete in three dimensions. For instance, COBOD, a company that provides 3D printing techniques, constructed a 3D-printed house in Denmark in December 2017. And thus, it is projected that the rapid uptake of 3D technology in residential building construction would encourage more users to choose the technology, which will likely increase demand for concrete printing in the residential sector over the projection period.

The commercial section will hold the second-largest share. The use of 3D printing technology by contractors and builders has been encouraged by a growing understanding of the technology. For instance, the firm Apis Cor, which offers 3D printing techniques, constructed a two-story office in Dubai in December 2019. For use in printing the walls, Apis Cor created a gypsum-based end-use sector that can withstand extreme environmental fluctuations. Thus, it is anticipated that when 3D printing becomes more widely used to construct significant infrastructure, more people will choose to use it, fueling demand for the product in the commercial sector.

Impact of covid-19

When the world witnessed the noble Coronavirus breakout, it disrupted all nations' economies. The government imposed lockdowns to slow the disease's rapid spread. Productions were stopped, all workplaces were closed, public interactions were limited, and temporary manufacturing and trading operations suspensions were implemented globally. Implementing the lockdown and public exchange caused interruption causing a cutting down of the market's operations. The social distancing norms of the government also disrupted the supply chain. Because of lockdowns imposed by the government, businesses and employees could not use the equipment. This forced the farmers to lean towards the help provided by autonomous tractors pushing the autonomous tractor market growth further.

The South Korean nation faced many problems due to the social distancing and public interaction restrictions imposed by the government, which resulted in a workforce shortage. Travel restrictions imposed also restricted the movement of emigrant laborers into the nation. So the country had to ultimately shift towards using autonomous machines to continue their production and operations, to generate income during tough times. But still, during the era of covid, the market had to face a few bumps, such as the level of participation by the companies in the market declined, suppliers and distributors also slowed down their operations, and this negatively affected the farm machinery industry supply chain, resulting in a delay of deliveries of agricultural machinery.

Recent Developments

• July 2024 - A Texas-based startup uses 3D printing to build homes on Earth and works with NASA to print infrastructure on the moon. NASA and Icon, founded by Jason Ballard, are collaborating to bring 3D printing to the moon. NASA launched the first of several Artemis missions towards the end of 2022. The next is currently planned for late 2025, with crew on board.
• July 2024 - A 3D concrete printer started constructing new homes in Dundalk from the ground up, layer by layer. The first three 3D-printed homes in Ireland are situated at Grange Close in Dundalk and are social housing units. It is claimed that technology will reduce labor costs and expedite the construction process. It uses a 3D printer for concrete mounted on a gantry and programmed to pipe concrete out in accordance with an electronic blueprint.