Aridditive, a Barcelona-based startup specializing in 3D printing of precast concrete, has successfully closed a 500,000 Pre-Seed funding round, led by BeAble Capital with participation from Suma Capital. The company, which spun off from the Universitat Politcnica de Catalunya (UPC) and CIM UPC, aims to drive digitalization, automation, and sustainability within the construction sector. With this fresh investment and additional support from ACCIs Startup Capital, Aridditive plans to advance its concrete 3D printing technology, promising to transform traditional construction processes.Founded on over a decade of research, Aridditives mission is to accelerate concrete productions shift toward digital processes that optimize every stage of building. Its unique 3D printing technology produces digital twins of precast components, fully automating production while minimizing material waste and energy consumption. With its new funding, the company aims to launch proof-of-concept trials by the end of 2024, with plans for a market debut at a prominent event in spring 2025.Aridditive founders : Roger Uceda & Arnau Cumelles. Photo via Aridditive.Roger Uceda, CEO of Aridditive, credits this milestone to the solid support from UPC and their investment partners. This funding round enables us to take decisive steps in validating our technology and advancing our mission to digitalize and make the construction sector more sustainable, he remarked. Co-founder Arnau Cumelles noted that these developments would showcase the companys potential to redefine precast concrete manufacturing in 2025.With a specialization in early-stage Deep Science investments, BeAble Capital is recognized for bringing cutting-edge industrial technologies from the lab to commercial viability. This latest investment aligns with the firms strategic focus on transformative technologies. Partner Alberto Daz expressed confidence in Aridditives potential: A pioneering technology in 3D printing of concrete, Aridditive is scalable and capable of redefining a key industry like construction, with significant benefits for sustainability and efficiency.Suma Capital, known for prioritizing sustainable investments, regards Aridditives approach as an opportunity to drive an eco-conscious shift in construction practices. Partner Josep Miquel Torregrosa emphasized Sumas commitment to projects that enhance environmental impact. He sees Aridditives technology as a bridge toward efficient, low-impact construction models.Aridditive Logo. Photo via Aridditive.Sustainable Advances in Concrete 3D PrintingThe construction industry faces pressure to innovate amid concerns over concretes environmental footprint. A recent study from ETH Zurich introduced Impact Printing, a new robotic construction technique using Earth-based materials like sand and clay to create structures without cement. Designed as an alternative to traditional concrete methods, this approach reduces CO emissions by using local, recyclable materials and minimizes the need for cement, which is responsible for nearly 8% of global emissions.Simultaneously, researchers at the University of Virginia (UVA) have explored the use of graphene-enhanced concrete to improve strength and sustainability in 3D printed construction. By incorporating graphene nanoplatelets, UVAs team found that the modified concrete achieves a 23% increase in compressive strength and a 31% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional mixtures. These developments underscore a broader shift toward sustainable building materials, positioning Aridditives innovations within an industry moving away from emissions-intensive practices.This visualisation shows layers of graphene used for membranes. Image via University of Manchester.Your voice matters in the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards. Vote Now!What will the future of 3D printing look like?Which recent trends are driving the 3D printing industry, as highlighted by experts?Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay updated with the latest news and insights.Stay connected with the latest in 3D printing by following us on Twitter and Facebook, and dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry YouTube channel for more exclusive content.Featured image shows Aridditives Logo. Photo via Aridditive.