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2026/01/22

News of our members

RI³D-FRQNT inaugurates its concrete 3D printing laboratory

The Regroupement innovant pour l’impression d’immeubles durables (RI³D‑FRQNT) announces the official opening of its brand-new large-scale 3D printing laboratory, located at the Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, within the facilities of the Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue.

This laboratory, along with the acquisition of specialized concrete 3D printing equipment, is the result of a bold vision: to develop concrete solutions to the housing shortage by leveraging faster, more flexible construction methods with a reduced environmental footprint.

 

A research infrastructure focused on real-world impact

At the heart of this innovation hub, RI³D-FRQNT will structure its research activities around three key strategic pillars:

  •  Testing and adapting concrete 3D printing technology to the Québec context, both in terms of climate and regulatory frameworks;

  •  Improving the environmental performance of 3D-printed buildings through the development of innovative materials;

  •  Supporting business innovation by providing access to cutting-edge equipment and to the expertise of the college and university research ecosystem.

 

Cutting-edge technologies from Constructions-3D

Several of the technologies deployed in the laboratory are supplied by Constructions-3D, a member company of the CQFA.

  •  The MaxiPrinter was selected for its mobility and compact design, offering an ideal solution for continuous production in Canada—indoors during the winter and outdoors during the summer season.
  •  The MiniPrinter perfectly complements this approach by enabling the production of mortar components and prefabricated parts for construction sites.
  •  The Constructimeter stands out as a key tool for the development of new materials, while ensuring rigorous quality control of mixes and mechanical performance.

 

A collective lever for sustainable construction

This new laboratory thus becomes a true experimental platform to design, test, and optimize the sustainable buildings of tomorrow. It reflects RI³D-FRQNT’s commitment to moving 3D printing from the laboratory to the construction site, by aligning applied research with the real needs of the construction sector.