BASF 3D printing division and BigRep expand into architecture

The additive manufacturing division of BASF, Forward AM, and 3D printer builder BigRep have partnered to introduce formwork filament for concrete structures.

Formwork, the molds and forms used in concrete construction, can account for 40% to 60% of a project’s budget. Building the forms requires highly skilled laborers, resulting in high costs, long lead times, and waste. 3D-printing the molds and forms allows architects to design organic geometries like double-curved surfaces and cavities, shapes that are not feasible with conventional technologies, according to the partners.

“At Forward AM, we developed a highly dimensionally stable, rigid formwork material, especially tailored to work seamlessly on BigRep’s large-format 3D printers,” said François Minec, managing director of BASF 3D Printing Solutions. “We are excited to be able to deliver this ready-to-use, end-to-end fabrication solution for bespoke formwork.”