Role of metal 3D printing to increase quality and resource-efficiency in the construction sector

Demand for the construction of new structures is increasing all over the world. Since the construction sector dominates the global carbon footprint, new construction methods are needed with reduced embodied carbon and high resource efficiency to realize a sustainable future. In this direction, Metal Additive Manufacturing, also known as metal 3D printing, can be an opportunity. Many studies are underway to answer open questions about the metal 3D printing processes and products for high-tech industries. The construction sector must join the metal 3D printing research more actively to enrich the knowledge and experience on this technology, and correctly adapt the process parameters suitable to the construction sector requirements. This paper states the opinion of a research group composed of academics and practitioners from Europe, the US, Japan, and South Africa on how metal 3D printing can be a complementary tool/technology to conventional manufacturing to increase productivity rates, and reduce the costs and CO2 emissions in the construction industry.