Meeting with Sika, specialist in concrete 3D printing

3D printing applied to the construction sector offers many advantages, whether in terms of cost, time or durability of materials. The actors who have embarked on concrete additive manufacturing are more and more numerous, convinced of the benefits that 3D technologies can bring. The Swiss company Sika is no exception; It specializes in the construction and industrial sectors and uses 3D concrete printing to design structures more efficiently. It has developed its printing material and its process, which is faster than other systems on the market today. We met with Olivier Herr, the Laboratory Manager at Sika to learn more about the process and the long-term vision of the Swiss company.

3DN: Can you introduce yourself and Sika?

Oliver Herr

Hello, my name is Olivier Herr, I am an Engineer in geomaterials and a specialist in cements and concretes. I started my career as an R&D Engineer and in 2012, I joined Sika as the Laboratory Manager. I am currently Deputy Director of Innovation at Sika France and in charge of the development of 3D printing in connection with Sika Corporate. Specializing in chemicals, Sika is a leader in the development and manufacturing of systems and products for bonding, sealing, caulking, strengthening and protection in the construction and industrial sectors. We operate in different markets including concrete, and we have been working in it for more than 100 years.

3DN: Can you tell us more about the technology you have developed?

Our 3D printing process uses robotics innovation and applies it to the concrete industry. Composed of a cement-based ink with a controlled printhead, it allows us to create, layer-by-layer, concrete elements, to mesh with various forms or design. The concrete elements are manufactured according to a digitized plan that is read and transformed into a real object via the printer.