XtreeE accelerates the deployment of its global network of 3D printing units

XtreeE is currently conducting a new fundraiser aimed at supporting its ambitions, while the inauguration of 6 other units is planned by the end of 2023.

The "Printing-as-a-Service" platform connects project owners, designers and pre-fabricators around the world

After two initial fundraising rounds (1,1 million euros in 2017 then 1 million in 2018), the entry into its capital of Vinci Construction, Shibumi International (investment fund of Gülermak Heavy Industries and American engineering Thornton Tomasetti) and Holcim France, XtreeE is accelerating the development of its global network of connected 3D printing units, capable of efficiently producing bespoke structural construction elements based on its technology.

Now operational, XtreeE's "Printing-as-a-Service" platform provides its customers with a catalog of certified products and numerous digital assistance tools to facilitate the architectural design and production of printed parts. 3D. It allows those who design or manufacture to develop their project according to an optimized and sustainable construction system, while benefiting from dynamic support (training in parametric modeling or the operation of robotic 3D printing systems, for example ) from the XtreeE team. Finally, it connects project owners to the community of designers – architects, designers and engineers (AEC) – and manufacturers and builders based around the world.

Any purchaser of a 3D printing system integrates this ecosystem, joins the XtreeE community – made up of design offices, builders and architecture agencies – and benefits from all of the platform's services. The challenge is to provide the AEC sector with new, more efficient construction systems, making it possible in particular to respond to a growing demand for individualized solutions of better quality and durability, at controlled cost and time.

« Our model is based on a so-called 'multi-local' ecosystem, making it possible to efficiently produce tailor-made structural construction elements in all four corners of the globe. The challenge being to print as close as possible to the construction sites, we support our partners locally thanks to our digital platform and our design-production services. », underlines Alban Mallet, co-founder and managing director of XtreeE.

Large-scale 3D printing moves into industrialization

Following the demonstration of the viability of its technology with more than one forty achievements – whether architectural elements (walls of the project Viliaprint, columns, facade panels), infrastructure (water and heating networks, telecommunications, etc.) or indoor and outdoor furniture (benches, armchairs, desks, vases, etc.) – within its pilot plant of Rungis, XtreeE has been able to deploy some 12 3D printing units over the past few years.

In France, the spread of 3D printing in building and public works took a new step when the Spie batignolles group, the first construction player to equip itself with a 3D printing solution in France, opened in 2021 an additive manufacturing workshop in Ollainville (Essonne).

After a year of experimentation and around twenty operations, it is now moving to industrialization scale with a dedicated offer – “EmPrinte” – and the opening of two other workshops in 2023.

In its catalog, the manufacturer thus offers the prefabrication of small standardized construction elements with high replicability such as reservation boxes and formwork elements, but also complex parts such as footbridge segments or beam nodes.

In addition to tangible productivity gains and improved working conditions for employees (reduction of the arduousness of tasks relating to on-site production), material resources are preserved and carbon emissions greatly reduced, by using the right amount of necessary materials and overall lightening of the elements. A reduction in the carbon footprint of approximately 25% has been calculated for crossing structures such as a footbridge.

A multi-material technology to meet societal and environmental challenges

And for good reason, the objective of XtreeE is also to improve safety and reduce the environmental impact of construction since 3D printing makes it possible to reduce up to 70% of cement consumption in construction, whose manufacture generates 8% of global CO2 emissions[I].

If XtreeE today mainly uses ultra-high performance concretes, it has also developed the use of other printable materials such as plaster, raw earth and geopolymers or even more recently recycled leather. Thanks to its expertise, XtreeE also supports its customers in reducing their environmental impact through the use of local raw materials to reduce the carbon footprint of printed parts.

« The common ambition of the team is above all environmental. 3D printing, and more broadly the automation of prefabrication, make possible constructions that are more respectful of the environment, thanks to the optimized use of locally sourced materials, reduce the risk of accidents on site and reduce the difficulty of work. », concludes Romain Duballet, co-founder and director of XtreeE.

[I] Source: Chatham House, WWF.