There is a lot of infrastructure shortage in Africa. They need to invest a lot of money in the construction of schools and buildings. So in order to meet the current demand, it is not possible to construct using traditional methods. In order to overcome this problem, 14Trees thought of using 3d printing for the construction of houses and schools which can save both time and money. 14Trees is a joint venture of LafargeHolcim and CDC which is for accelerating affordable houses in Africa. They started this project in Malawi and in the future will extend into Kenya and Zimbabwe. Its main motto is to create affordable and sustainable buildings and schools in Africa. Miljan Gutovic, Region Head Middle East Africa said that “I am very excited about the 14trees joint venture and its innovation in 3D printing technology.
14Trees deployed 3D printing technology in order to create sustainable homes and schools for the first time in Malawi through which they can reduce both cost and time. UNICEF said that there is a shortage of 36,000 classrooms in the country which would take 70 years for its completion. But it is possible to complete the work within a decade using 3D printing said 14Trees. First prototype house was built in Lilongwe, in which the walls were printed in just 12 hours. Walls were just printed in 18hours in Salima. In order to speed up the process of construction 14trees 3D printing technology reduces carbon footprint up to 70% through material optimization.
14trees also created skilled jobs by hiring 3D machine operators,carpenters,roofers etc. WASP is the Italian 3D printer manufacturer whose aim is to print sustainable buildings. In 2018 Crane WASP 3D printer produced a small building in Shamballa village,utilising reusable and recyclable materials. Dutch based firm named Cybe constructed 3d printing buildings in the United Arab Emirates(UAE). Recently German based firm PERI group constructed a three floor printed commercial apartment building in Wallenhausen using COBOD’S 3D printing technology.
So in this way, Africa’s demand is fulfilled using 3d printing technology. Let’s hope more sectors deploy 3D printing in order to fulfill their demands.