KSA company buys largest 3D construction printer in the world
Elite for Construction and Development Company places order with Denmark’s Cobod International
Saudi Arabia’s Elite for Construction and Development Company has announced that it has placed an order with Denmark’s Cobod International for the largest 3D printer in the world, with delivery scheduled by the end of May 2019.
In a statement, the company said that the hi-tech BOD2 printer – the first of its kind – will be able to print buildings of 12 metres width, 27 metres length and nine metres in height. Three-storey buildings of more than 300sqm per storey could be made by the giant printer in one go, it added.
The move comes at a time when the kingdom has set an ambitious target to build 1.5 million private houses over the next 10 years, under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to improve the country’s economy and housing situation by applying modern construction techniques in the country.
The company added that leading private firms and public organisations have expressed a strong desire to use 3D construction printing technology on projects if provided locally by a Saudi company.
Cobod International first made headlines in 2017 when they created the first 3D printed building in Europe, the BOD in Copenhagen. In 2018, they continued their fast development with the launch of BOD2, the only second-generation 3D construction printer in the market, which quickly thereafter established traction by beating all competitors and winning the first EU tender for a 3D construction printer.
Later in 2018, Cobod announced a partnership with the German multinational Peri Group, which acquired a significant minority of the company. In 2019 they have now sold the biggest 3D construction printer in the world.
“We are very proud to receive this order from Saudi Arabia, which again confirms that our second generation BOD2 3D construction printer is second to none. Not only is the BOD2 the fastest 3D construction printer in the world, but the modular approach of the BOD2 allowed us to deliver the size that Elite For Construction & Development wanted, a printer capable of printing buildings of more than 300 square meters,” said Henrik Lund-Nielsen, CEO of Cobod International.
He added that it over the last year it has become clear that both Dubai and Saudi Arabia have big ambitions for 3D construction printing. In 2018, Dubai said that 25% of all buildings must be 3D printed by 2030.
“A small private house was 3D printed in Riyadh at the end of 2018. Now, multiple public and private organisations are requesting the use of the 3D construction printing technology in new construction projects, as soon as the technology is available locally on a permanent basis,” he explained.
“We will make this revolutionising technology available across Saudi Arabia. We will be able to carry out projects with our own crews and based on 3D printable concrete made locally,” said Saad Al Shathri, general manager for Elite for Construction and Development Company.
“This will bring costs significantly down compared to temporary imported printers using foreign made materials,” stated the top official.
“Also, with the 3D construction printing technology we will be able to do projects almost impossible with conventional technology, and we will build faster and cheaper than before. At the same time we decided to invest in a very large printer, such that the scope of projects we can carry out will be as big as possible,” noted Al Shathri.
“The sheer size of the new printer is impressive. This will by far be the biggest 3D construction printer ever made and with the printer Elite For Construction & Development Co. will be able to do construction projects previously unthinkable for a 3D construction printer,” added Lund-Nielsen.
“When compared to the BOD building we did, it is clear that Elite for Construction & Development Company is taking 3D construction printing into brand new territories.
“With this printer they will be capable of gaining a leading position not only for the 3D construction printing of private houses, but also for medium sized offices and public buildings like museums, schools,” he concluded.
