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KSA inaugurates its first 3D concrete printing plant: In partnership with Japan’s government, Saudi Arabia inaugurated on Saturday the kingdom’s first 3D concrete printing plant in the Sudair Industrial City, Al Ekhbariya reported on Sunday. The project is part of Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial Development and Logistics Services Program.
About the tech: The 3D concrete panels produced by the facility will be used for the construction of towers and bridges, and in the application of non-load-bearing insulated panels for walls, the news outlet notes. The panels will be designed to offer high flexibility, enabling easy alteration or removal post-construction, and will be designed to withstand 7-magnitude earthquakes and 100-meter high storms, Al Riyadh says. The construction material’s lifespan also extends beyond its conventional alternatives, reaching 200 years.
Huge carbon savings: The manufacturing of the 3D concrete materials will help reduce carbon emissions by 70% compared to the manufacturing methods used for conventional construction materials, Al Ekhbariya notes. Construction contributes around 40% of global CO2 emissions with an expected increase of another 13% by 2035.
High-level representatives were present at the plant’s inauguration: The launching ceremony was held in the presence of Saudi Arabia’s Under Secretary to the Ministry of Commerce Abdul Salam Al-Mana, Director General of the Manufacturing Department at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources Majid Al Quwaiz, Japanese Ambassador Fumio Iwai, and Korean Ambassador Jun Young Park, Al Riyadh said.
REMEMBER- KSA is leveraging 3D printing to decarbonize its building sector: Saudi multi project developer Red Sea Global (RSG) and Kuwait-based telecom company Zain developed the world’s first carbon-neutral 5G network back in August at RSG’s Red Sea Project in KSA, using solar energy and 3D printing technology to construct net-zero communications towers. On the green finance front, Saudi oil giant Aramco’s Wa’ed Ventures led the USD 52 mn funding round of 3D printing startup Mighty Buildings in a bid to help finance its expansion in Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region. Back in March, KSA real estate developer Dar Al Arkan completed construction of the kingdom’s largest 3D printed building. The 3-storey, 9.9-meter-tall villa was printed over 26 days.
