Science and Technology News

Category: Construction

  • Cobod builds homes ‘faster’ with its latest 3D construction printer

    Cobod builds homes ‘faster’ with its latest 3D construction printer

    Cobod International, a specialist in 3D construction printing technology, proudly introduces the BOD3 3D construction printer for 3D printing of real concrete.

    Equipped with an extendable ground-based track system, the BOD3 advances the construction process by eliminating printer downtime between multiple buildings on the same site, setting anew benchmark for productivity and efficiency.

    The BOD3 is the most advanced solution for high-volume low-rise construction and a very effective alternative to conventional construction methods.  

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  • Rimac completes campus phase one with production already under way

    Rimac completes campus phase one with production already under way

    Phase one of the Rimac campus – new home of the Rimac Group in Croatia – has now completed construction, representing around 70% of the total Campus site. Encompassing the 75,000 m2 production facility, out of a total construction space of 100,000 m2 for the whole site, phase one provides the Rimac Group with critical production capacity, in addition to the existing 25,000 m2 production facility located a short distance away.   

    Total investment into the Campus to-date has been 120M EUR, with the final figure expected to surpass 300M EUR when phase two is completed – which houses the majority of office space and additional amenities. It is one of the largest industrial construction projects ever undertaken in this part in Europe.

    The Campus is the home for Bugatti Rimac’s hypercar development and for Rimac Technology’s R&D and production. It will house hypercar assembly, including of the Nevera and Nevera R, as well as facilities for prototype assembly, composite manufacturing, CNC machining, upholstery, and a state-of-the-art paint shop. In addition, the campus will accommodate three new high-volume battery projects for premium European car makers.

    Construction of the Campus first commenced in 2021 to deliver a vision laid out by Croatian architecture firm 3LHD. Utilizing industrial building technology with prefabricated concrete and steel elements, the construction has progressed rapidly, allowing flexibility and adaptability for future changes.  

    The production building incorporates “houses within a house” design, featuring six-meter-high ceilings and green atriums that provide natural light and fresh air.

    The main design element, a continuous aluminum facade, reflects light while dematerializing the massive volume of the production area, integrating the facility seamlessly with its natural surroundings. Inside, clear communication pathways serve as streets for easy navigation, complemented by shared spaces such as restrooms and kitchens.

    At the building’s heart is a central atrium with a large kitchen and communal dining area, serving as a gathering space for employees.

    The move-in to the Campus started this summer, and currently, 400 employees are working there, out of over 1,500 Rimac employees in Croatia. More will gradually transition to the new Campus over time. Once the project is fully completed, the Campus will have the capacity to accommodate 2.500 employees.

  • Volvo trucks ramps up the use of low-CO2-emission steel

    Volvo trucks ramps up the use of low-CO2-emission steel

    Volvo is now ramping up the use of low-CO2-emission steel in its trucks. Volvo was the world’s first truck manufacturer to introduce this type of steel in its electric trucks in 2022. Now the company is expanding the use of low-CO2-emission steel to include all drivelines.

    The new steel is produced by the Swedish steel company SSAB and called SSAB Zero. It is made from recycled material and produced using fossil-free electricity and biogas. As a result, CO2 is reduced by around 80 percent compared to the production of conventional steel using fossil energy.

    Next year, the frame rails in around 12,000 Volvo FH and FM trucks will be made of low-CO2-emission steel. This will result in savings of 6,600 tons of CO2 Equivalents. As the availability of low-CO2-emission steel increases, it will be introduced in more truck models as well as in other parts of the truck.

    Volvo is also planning to replace other materials in its trucks with lower emissions alternatives.

    “This is an additional step towards our zero emissions vision. Steel is one of the main materials in our trucks. We are also looking to exchange other materials, such as aluminium and plastic, to low emission alternatives. We are proud to lead the way in the industry when it comes to sustainable material in our trucks,” says Jan Hjelmgren, Senior Vice President Product Management and Quality, Volvo Trucks.

    Half of the truck consists of steel

    The potential for lowering CO2 emissions is high as almost half the truck consists of steel (47 percent of a Volvo FH diesel truck), and it represents about 44 percent of the CO2 emissions from the production (cradle to gate) out of the total 21 tons CO2 Equivalents  for the Volvo FH diesel.

    Volvo Group is collaborating with several suppliers around low-CO2-emission steel. Low-CO2-emission steel will be an important complement to the traditional and recycled steel used in Volvo’s trucks.

    Volvo Trucks is committed to the Paris agreement and to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the supply chain by 2040, at the latest.

    “We are continuously striving to further minimize our climate footprint. We are also moving towards greater circularity in both our operations and our trucks. Many of our factories, transports and dealers are today running on renewable energy,” says Jan Hjelmgren.