Qatar’s first concrete 3D printing facility now operational

Doha: Qatar’s first facility for 3D printing concrete and buildings is now operating, say researchers from Texas A&M University at Qatar — a Qatar Foundation partner university — who are focusing on the manufacturing aspect of structures and developing new materials for 3D printing.

In 2020, Texas A&M at Qatar and Al Jaber Trading and Contracting (JTC) partnered to introduce the advanced technology to Qatar to enable 3D printing of buildings. The technology will support the production of sustainable 3D-printable concrete that will have improved properties to withstand Qatar’s environmental conditions — which will mean faster and more sustainable construction. Experts from Texas A&M at Qatar will lead research efforts in this area and provide expertise in materials behavior and 3D printing of concrete using a full-scale 3D printer. Al Jaber Trading and Contracting will support Texas A&M at Qatar’s research by providing technical expertise in construction of concrete structures, as well as resources to enable the delivery of the research outcomes to the construction industry in Qatar.