3D Printing Construction Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Construction Method (Extrusion, Powder Bonding), By Material Type (Concrete, Metal, Composite), By End User, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027

Report Overview

The global 3D printing construction market size was valued at USD 4.6 million in 2019 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 114.8% from 2020 to 2027. The increasing use of 3D printing for infrastructure and the building sector is advancing the market. The use of 3D printing is increasing in the building sector to construct very complex structures with computer-programmed software. It offers incredible speed for constructing, higher accuracy, and lower labor costs. Growing environmental concerns are driving market players and governments towards the adoption of 3D printing for construction. This technology is expected to reduce waste reduction as it uses eco-friendly construction materials. The technology is also successful in dangerous and harsh environments and will help to minimize workplace casualties.

A substantial growth factor for this market is the increasing innovation which is leading to several benefits through the adoption of 3D printing across heavy industry applications. The increasing adoption of 3D printers for designing and prototyping in construction coupled with the reduced manufacturing expenditure and accuracy in the end-product are few market proliferating factors. The 3D printing market is one such market that has benefitted significantly from the growing necessity of rapid prototyping and advanced manufacturing practices. The industry is poised for unprecedented growth over the forecast period owing to the rising application of additive manufacturing in the construction sector.

The 3D printing construction market is projected to grow due to the rising adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM provides a knowledge resource and collaborative platform for engineers, construction professionals, architects, and other stakeholders for efficient execution in designing, planning, and managing various construction decisions. Besides, the growing construction sector in emerging and developing countries, increasing emphasis on eco-friendly construction practices, and the need for affordable housing solutions are expected to stimulate market growth during the forecast period.

Construction Method Insights

The extrusion construction method led the market and accounted for more than 60% revenue share in 2019. Extrusion 3D printing, also called Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), is one of the additive manufacturing (AM) techniques used for prototyping, modeling, and production applications. The 3D printing model is created using software and then saved as a stereolithography (STL) file. Then the file is sent to interfacing software to finalize the model. Based on the model, the final structure or object is printed.

The extrusion-based method is majorly used for on-site construction. It allows usage of traditional construction materials such as geopolymer, concrete, cement, clay, and plaster. Whereas, the powder bonding method is expected to exhibit exceptional growth due to its ability to provide consistent output repetitively, produce lightweight structures, and develop consolidated parts. This method reduces the total assembly time, offers high heat resistance, and increases durability while manufacturing complex shapes.

End-user Insights

The building segment led the market and accounted for more than 70% revenue share in 2019. The building segment comprises of commercial, residential, and industrial construction. The growing construction sector in emerging and developing countries, increasing emphasis on eco-friendly construction practices, and the need for affordable housing solutions are expected to stimulate the market's growth in the forecast period. Additionally, the segment is also expected to grow on account of rising industrialization, increasing population, and need for lower construction costs.

The growing demand for easily constructing and high-performance complex designs is fueling the growth of the infrastructure end-user segment. Various applications of the building industry are using 3D printing construction. It helps make lightweight components such as panels and walls; while doing so, it still lowers the handling cost and maintains structural integrity. Dutch, Russian, and Chinese companies are first-in-class to adopt 3D printed construction technology and have started constructing buildings in China, Dubai, and the Netherlands.

Material Type Insights

Concrete led the market and accounted for more than a 30% share of the global revenue in 2019. The segment is anticipated to continue growing and lead the market in terms of revenue over the estimated duration. 3D printed concrete is used to construct very complex structures that can otherwise be challenging with traditional concrete formwork. Some of the advantages of 3D printed concrete include customized structures, advanced design possibilities, streamlined processes, reduced costs, greater productivity, and improved quality.

Based on construction material, the market is divided into concrete, metal, composite, and others. The others segment includes plastic, hybrid, foam, gypsum, and geopolymer. The metal materials used for 3D printing include aluminum alloys, stainless steel, titanium, cobalt-chromium alloys, nickel-based superalloys, copper alloys, and so on, as well as precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum. The metal 3D printers use the powdered form of the metal for printing.

Regional Insights

The Asia Pacific region accounted for the largest revenue share of more than 35% in 2019 and is expected to maintain its lead over the forecast period. This large market share and regional growth can be accredited to the lucrative opportunities in the construction sector in the Asia Pacific region. As the region is establishing itself to become a global manufacturing hub, the technology is anticipated to gain significant traction over the forecast period. China and Japan are prominent countries having the potential to offer extensive opportunities for the emerging as well as mature technologies such as 3D printing construction. The numerous manufacturing industries are contributing to the growth and prosperity of the region’s overall economic development.

The expenditure and operational benefits coupled with the initiatives being undertaken by the governments of emerging countries, such as South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore, are responsible for catapulting investments and encouraging industry players to invest in the Asia Pacific region. Furthermore, increasing investments are being carried out in R&D activities to improve 3D printing technology and related developments, due to which prominent players are undertaking strategic initiatives such as distribution alliances, partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions. As such, all these factors are expected to propel regional market growth.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market players are growing their footprints across different geographies and entering new untapped marketplaces in emerging countries to widen their customer base and strengthen their geographic presence. The companies are focusing on innovative product development in the market to cater to the growing consumer demands. For instance, In December 2017, Yingchuang Building Technique completed a 3D printed bus stop, first of its kind, in Jinshan Garden, China. The bus stop was made using recycled waste material. Some prominent players in the global 3D printing construction market include:

• XtreeE

• Yingchuang Building Technique

• Monolite UK

• Apis Cor

• CSP s.r.l.

• Sika

• CyBe Construction

• Contour Crafting

• ICON

3D Printing Construction Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2016 to 2027. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global 3D printing construction market report based on the construction method, material type, end-user, and region:

• Construction Method Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Extrusion

  • Powder Bonding

  • Others

• Material Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Concrete

  • Metal

  • Composite

  • Others

• End-user Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • Building

  • Infrastructure

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • South Korea

  • South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa