Additive Technology: a contribution to the environmental sustainability

The construction industry, while representing a sector strongly rooted in tradition, has opened up to the innovations related to digitalisation, showing particular attention to additive technology. While the introduction of Additive Manufacturing, better known as 3D printing, in the construction sector has been slower than in other areas, an acceleration is however underway, driven by the promise that this technological innovation brings with it, with potential benefits, both in terms of the construction process and the environment. Research efforts on the development of additive machines and printable materials are making it possible to move from a dimension of experimentation and prototyping to one of construction. The benefits related to 3D printing in terms of reducing the ecological and energy footprint of buildings are numerous and validated. The challenges for large-scale application are now open.