Net-zero, decarbonization, recycling, circular economy: those words are essential nowadays. They are pillars that a company must build to be in adequation with values to guaranty a sustainable future for people and the planet. Those principals are carved in the core of Holcim’s philosophy. The company structures its approach around those pillars in order to become the global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions. To do so, Holcim innovates to remain at the forefront of green building solutions and to drive circular construction to build better with less.
Among next generation technologies, additive manufacturing (AM, 3D printing) of cementitious materials allowed to extend the perspective of future constructions. AM can be defined as a manufacturing process in which materials are added together to form an object in 3D from a numerical model. Various materials like plastics, liquids or powders, are commonly used in different process as Fused Filament Deposition (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA) or Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). Additive manufacturing is a technology well established in many fields, from dental to aeronautic applications.
It is less known that 3D printing can be applied for construction sector. This process attracts attention in view of various benefits like the reduction of construction time, cost, waste materials along with construction materials and workforce. AM opens possibilities of application in a wide range of fields, from residential to infrastructure projects, with economic and environmental perspectives.
In accordance with Holcim values, developing additive manufacturing of cementitious materials is a key for us in order to answer the accelerating green growth demand and offer an innovative building solution.
Holcim is involved on all aspects of 3D printing, from formulation of a wide panel of inks, through its proprietary inks with the TectorPrint brand, to process, in order to optimize the control of the material’s behavior all the way from the mixer to the printhead.
Starting from lab scale, the heart of Holcim strategy is to developpe global solutions. Thanks to prototypes developed in real environment, with the help of our partners, it allows to confirm hypothesis and specifications with the purpose to enhance Holcim offers with a learning curve always growing.
Holcim and its partners are committed to opening new ways to build innovative construction by helping architects and designers showcase the possibilities with smart design projects around the world like houses, wind turbine towers or footbridges.