PERI to build Europe’s largest 3D printed building in Heidelberg

PERI 3D Construction is taking 3D construction printing to new dimensions in Europe: the IT server hotel, which the KRAUS GROUP is realizing in Heidelberg, will be about 54 meters long, eleven meters wide and nine meters tall. With the COBOD BOD2 3D printer, PERI will print the vertical elements of the building and using i.tech 3D mortar, a 100% recyclable material from Heidelberg Materials. The special architecture gives insights into the free design that can be easily realized with the 3D printing process. Overall, we expect a pure printing time of only about 140 hours.

Heidelberg Materials is supplying around 450 tonnes of the high-tech special mortar i.tech® 3D, which contains a CO₂-optimized binder. Concrete printing with 100% recyclable material allows design freedom, up to 70% less material usage, and safer work at the construction site.

Printing of the building began at the end of March 2023 and is expected to last until the end of July 2023. Once completed, the iconic commercial building by real estate company KRAUSGRUPPE will house a data center. Heidelberg Materials supplies around 450 tonnes of i.tech® 3D for the project, a material developed specifically for 3D concrete printing that is 100% recyclable.

The completely mineral building material contains a binder with a carbon footprint around 55% lower than that of classic Portland cement. Project partner PERI 3D Construction is providing know-how and creating the outer walls and partitions of the future data center with its 3D construction printer.

”We are pleased to be part of this innovative project and to further develop 3D concrete printing as a particularly resource-efficient construction method with our partners,” said Dr. Nicola Kimm, Member of the Managing Board of Heidelberg Materials and Chief Sustainability Officer. ”Together we show that sustainability and digitalisation go hand in hand. At Heidelberg Materials, innovative and sustainable products like i.tech® 3D and the development of digital business models are essential elements of our sustainability strategy.”

By 2030, Heidelberg Materials aims to offer circular alternatives for half of its concrete products worldwide. 3D printed products are an integral part of the portfolio. The company offers high-quality products as well as technical know-how to architects, engineers, manufacturers of 3D printers, and builders who want to realize buildings or concrete elements using 3D printing.

i.tech® 3D was already used to print the first residential buildings in Germany in 2020. Since then, Heidelberg Materials has further developed the building material and further reduced its CO₂ content. Through appropriate design planning, the 3D printing process itself allows for up to 70% less material consumption compared with conventional construction methods and thus a further reduction in CO₂. The process also increases the speed and productivity of the construction process and makes construction sites safer through lower dust and noise emissions and reduced use of tools.