Picture: ZÜBLIN & INSTATIQ
With the construction of three new apartment buildings in Metzingen-Neugreuth, ZÜBLIN and INSTATIQ are setting a practical milestone in the use of large-format 3D printing technology in structural construction. For the first time in Germany, the top floor of a four-story building is being fully produced on-site using 3D concrete printing — a scale of application not previously realized in the country.
At the heart of the process is the Instatiq P1, an automated mast boom printer that applies concrete layer by layer at speeds of up to ten centimeters per second. This creates solid wall structures up to three meters high, with wall thicknesses ranging from 16.5 to 19 centimeters. The printing technology uses standard concrete from conventional mixing plants, eliminating additional transport and material costs. The maximum printing output is 2.5 cubic meters per hour.
“With 3D concrete printing, we’re bringing an innovative and automated process directly to the construction site,” says Chris Brandstätt, Head of Process Planning in Construction Operations at ZÜBLIN. “We can complete the load-bearing walls of a story in just four days. One cubic meter of printed solid wall takes only half the time of traditional limestone masonry construction, as used in the other floors. This not only saves time but also addresses the growing shortage of skilled workers. Our employees also benefit from better working conditions with less dust and noise.”
Another key advantage lies in the digital construction process: CAD-based plans are directly converted into print data, minimizing errors and enabling precise control of material usage. Additionally, the concrete mix used produces around 20% fewer CO₂ emissions than conventional materials, as Fabian Schüler of INSTATIQ highlights.
Fabian Schüler, CFO of INSTATIQ, adds: “A major technical advantage over other 3D concrete printers is that we’re printing solid walls, not just formwork — and we’re doing it using material from a conventional concrete mixer. There’s no need to transport specialized construction materials over long distances. The financial savings are obvious. At the same time, the device integrates seamlessly into the site’s workflow and, with its 26-meter-long automated boom arm, offers exceptional reach.”Florian Bertz, Head of the Technical Department at GWG Reutlingen, explains: “As the project developer, we see our role not only as building constructors but also as creators of spaces for innovation — bringing progress to the region. With the 3D concrete printing project in Metzingen, we deliberately want to explore alternative construction methods — resource-efficient, effective, and future-focused. For us, this sends a clear message: We’re ready to take responsibility for the future of building.”
The project is scheduled for completion in May 2026. A total of 44 residential units are being built on a 3,000-square-meter site. Additional construction projects using the Instatiq P1 are already in the pipeline. In the future, the technology is expected to be marketed through a planned joint venture called NELCON.