There are several public policies encouraging the use of 3D printing for construction. The UAE has a goal of printing 25 percent of its new buildings by 2030, and Saudi Arabia has indicated that it is working to reduce its housing shortage with the technology. The United Kingdom recently developed a National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing, estimating that 3D printing will add $1 billion to the country’s GDP and create 15,000 jobs by 2025. In the United States, the department of defense is researching the ability to print military barracks.
The use of 3D printing is not limited to buildings. It is also being used in interior design. For instance, the Dutch company Canal House uses the technology to build offices. Other companies are researching the use of this technology in construction. One company, WinSun, is working with XtreeE to create concrete mixes for 3D printing. Another company, Austrian formwork company Doka Ventures, has invested $30 million in the startup Contour Crafting.
The use of 3D printing has also enabled rapid construction. New homes can be printed in a matter of days compared to a few months using conventional methods. For example, Batiprint3D recently finished a 95-square-foot project in 54 hours. In the Netherlands, Mighty Buildings can produce a single unit in 24 hours. The company uses a special light stone material that cures quickly when exposed to UV light.