- The association representing the construction sector is supportive of employing 3D printing techniques in the construction sector.
Struggling construction sector under increased financial strain. As per the Eastern German Construction Industry Association, the downward trend in new construction projects continues. Moreover, the number of bankruptcies in the initial quarter of this year has surged. The sector is looking forward to a more straightforward and budget-friendly construction of homes.
The German Ministry of Housing, Building, and Urban Development is permitting architects and builders to negotiate for less stringent construction standards. Robert Momberg, CEO of the Eastern German Construction Industry Association, expressed this in Potsdam, stating, "This is a significant boost for the industry." He added that the building type E offers valuable flexibility during construction.
E represents simplicity or experimentation. Housing associations have voiced concerns about buildings being constructed to an excessive standard due to apprehensions of legal repercussions. The association also advocates for a campaign to reduce bureaucracy.
Scarcity of 3D printers in residential construction
Is it likely that 3D printing, as employed in the US for constructing entire buildings, will have a role in Germany in the future? The Eastern German Construction Industry Association is receptive to the concept of digitally constructed homes.
Momberg stated, "The development of 3D printing as a construction method is generally laudable, but it will not substitute conventional building methods completely." Diverse building codes across the federal states may deter widespread adoption.
Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) expressed his support for large-scale 3D printing of homes in Germany during a trip to the US in July, stating, "Exactly what we need in Germany."
Decrease in project approvals
The struggling housing construction sector shows little sign of improvement. Construction costs have soared to such an extent that numerous housing cooperatives and municipal corporations have postponed new projects.
The total value of new orders in Eastern Germany from January to May 2024 dropped by 0.9% nominally to 7.53 billion euros. Momberg commented, "This indicates that we slightly missed the value of the previous year (7.6 billion euros)." Significant declines in the construction sector were also observed, but no half-year figures were available at the time.
Construction sector: Insolvencies trigger concern
Since 2020, the number of insolvencies in the construction sector has been consistently increasing in the new federal states, as reported by the association. In 2023, it reached its highest level in five years with 255 cases. The most alarming aspect is the 27.6% increase in insolvencies in the new federal states in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the previous year's quarter, reaching 74 cases. "The continuous increase in insolvencies since 2021 highlights the significant economic pressure the industry is under."
The Eastern German Construction Industry Association represents the interests of approximately 260 construction companies employing around 20,000 people in Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt.
In Germany, the number of apartments that can be constructed in the approaching years is expected to decrease significantly compared to recent years. The Munich Ifo Institute anticipates the slump in the industry to persist. For 2026, experts predict only 175,000 new apartments. This would represent a decrease of over 40% compared to the nearly 300,000 apartments constructed in 2022.
The German government's decision to allow relaxed construction standards in certain areas might provide some relief to the struggling construction sector in Germany. However, the widespread adoption of 3D printing in residential construction in Germany could still be challenging due to diverse building codes across the federal states.
