Dual-Tech Breakthrough: Concrete & Polymer Printing
The partnership has successfully applied both 3D concrete and polymer printing to real operational challenges—creating spare parts, wastewater nozzles, instrument troughs, and laboratory components for daily use.
First UK 3D Concrete Hub at Wigan
In June 2024, a temporary 3D concrete printing hub was established at the Wigan Wastewater Treatment Works, producing essential infrastructure such as combined sewer overflow chambers and IED containment walls in mere hours instead of weeks.
Sustainability & Efficiency Gains
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Carbon reductions of up to 50 %
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Cost savings around 20–25 %
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Labour cutbacks nearing 55 %
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Construction time drastically slashed—e.g., CSO chambers printed and cured in roughly 4 hours versus several days.
Innovation in Practice
Finished 3D‑printed assets like jet nozzles and monitoring troughs are now holding up under real-world conditions. Projects demonstrate success even in cold, wet winter environments.
Empowering Workforce & Knowledge Sharing
The project promotes digital skills in the workforce and overall resilience in infrastructure delivery. Learnings are being disseminated through webinars and cross-sector showcases led by Spring Innovation.
