Gulf Construction Online - UCC taps 3D printing for mega schools project

Qatar

Lund-Nielsen and Al Khayyat at the signing ceremony.

UCC taps 3D printing for mega schools project

01 October 2024

UCC Holding, a premier construction and infrastructure company in Qatar, and Denmark’s Cobod, a leading manufacturer of concrete 3D printers, have signed a contract for the supply of the world’s largest third-generation 3D printers that will be used to build schools in the country.

The signing ceremony took place last month in Doha, between Ramez Al Khayyat, President of UCC Holding, and Henrik Lund-Nielsen, CEO and Founder of Cobod, along with other dignitaries and key stakeholders.

UCC Holding and Cobod will collaborate to build schools using the third-generation 3D printers. The schools will cover a total area of 40,000 sq m, setting a Guinness World Record for the largest buildings constructed using 3D printing technology worldwide.

The project places a high priority on sustainability, with Cobod’s advanced 3D printing technology specifically designed to reduce material waste and improve efficiency, resulting in reduced concrete consumption, a critical factor in minimising the carbon footprint of the construction process.

By using 3D printing, the schools will be built with fewer raw materials while ensuring structural integrity, making the construction process environmentally friendly, says UCC Holding.

Cobod technology also enables the automated construction of concrete buildings and structures through improved designs that enhance the efficiency of concrete and reinforcement use, which is in line with Qatar’s National Vision 2030.

UCC Holding’s Chairman Moutaz Al Khayat comments: “The partnership with Cobod is a leap forward not only for the construction sector in Qatar, but also globally. We always strive to adopt the latest technologies that contribute to achieving sustainability and efficiency in our operations, and this project is part of our commitment to achieving Qatar National Vision 2030. Through this advanced technology, we set new standards for sustainable construction and contribute to reducing the environmental impact of our operations.”

“Our partnership with UCC Holding and the schools project represents an exceptional leap forward for the construction industry pushing it years ahead in terms of use of the technology, scale of the projects and aims for a more sustainable future. Through 3D printing, we can reduce waste, minimise the use of materials, cut down on CO2 emissions, and build in a way that respects the environment,” says Lund-Nielsen.

As per the agreement, Cobod will provide consulting on the design, manufacturing, installation, and supervision of concrete printers. It will also provide on-site training and technical support to UCC Holding to ensure the 3D printing process is implemented efficiently.

Construction of the two schools is scheduled to begin in 2025, and the use of Cobod’s third-generation 3D printers will ensure a streamlined and efficient process. Each school will have a two-storey structure, featuring a 100 x 100-m footprint.

The two BOD XL printers from Cobod will have a record-breaking size of 50 m in length, 30 m in width and 15 m in height each. The printers will operate at the fastest printing speed possible, ensuring rapid completion while maintaining high standards of safety and sustainability.

With more than 80 printers sold on six continents, Cobod technology has been used on some of the world’s most prominent 3D construction projects.