V3D Asia, Nakazawa Construction, and Unnan Ready-Mix Successfully Demonstrate 3D Printed Construction Using Standard Mortar Delivered Directly by Mixer Truck from JIS-Certified Plant

V3D Asia Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda City, Tokyo; CEO: Jun Asami, hereinafter "V3D Asia"), Nakazawa Construction Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture; CEO: Toyokazu Nakazawa, hereinafter "Nakazawa Construction"), and Unnan Joint Ready-Mix Concrete Production Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture, hereinafter "Unnan Ready-Mix") have successfully completed an on-site demonstration of small-scale structural construction using a gantry-type 3D construction printer with standard mortar commonly available in Japan. The demonstration was conducted in Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture, from May 26 to 28, 2026.

To the best of the three companies’ knowledge, this demonstration represents a highly innovative initiative with few known global precedents.

This project overcomes the two major barriers to traditional 3D printed construction—"material cost" and "logistical challenges"—by fully leveraging existing local infrastructure, creating a model case that significantly accelerates real-world implementation in Japan’s construction industry, which faces severe labor shortages.

① 【Cost and Logistics Challenge】No reliance on expensive "specialized materials"

Traditional 3D printed construction has required the long-distance transport of premium pre-mixed mortars or specialized materials from overseas to maintain shape integrity, making material and transportation costs a major obstacle to widespread adoption. In this demonstration, simply adding a few percent of V3D Asia’s proprietary additive to ordinary mortar produced at a local ready-mix plant successfully transformed it into a high-performance, 3D-print-optimized material.

② 【Leveraging Existing Infrastructure】Direct delivery by mixer truck to site, ready for printing

For this project, mortar was transported from Unnan Ready-Mix’s plant, located 16.5 km (approximately 30 minutes by car) from the site, using standard mixer trucks. The team implemented a construction model fully integrated into existing construction logistics: **"A regular mixer truck arrives at the site and directly feeds mortar into the 3D printer system to begin construction."**

③ 【Key Driver for Regional Revitalization】Solving the critical shortage of skilled labor through local supply chains

Japan’s construction industry, especially in rural areas, faces an acute shortage of skilled workers such as formwork specialists due to aging and lack of successors. This demonstration shows that our technology can support the sustainability of existing local players—ready-mix suppliers and construction firms—by integrating them into next-generation construction workflows.

Overview of the Demonstration

Project Name: 3D Printer Shimane Proof-of-Concept Project

Location: Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture

Period: May 26–28, 2026

Lead Organization: V3D Asia Co., Ltd.

Construction Partner: Nakazawa Construction Co., Ltd.

Material Supply Partner: Unnan Joint Ready-Mix Concrete Production Co., Ltd.

【Demonstration Content】

On-site 3D printing of small-scale structures using mortar and a gantry-type 3D construction printer

【Material Delivery】

Mortar with V3D Asia’s proprietary additive was delivered by mixer truck from Unnan Ready-Mix’s plant, located 16.5 km away (20–30 minutes by car)

This proof-of-concept project aimed to adapt V3D Asia’s 3D construction technology—previously deployed in Southeast Asia—to Japanese construction site conditions. By combining V3D Asia’s printer technology, Nakazawa Construction’s on-site expertise, and Unnan Ready-Mix’s material supply and quality control knowledge, the team gathered foundational data for practical implementation of 3D printed construction in Japan.

Significance of the Demonstration

Confirmed the feasibility of 3D printed construction using existing ready-mix plants and mixer trucks

Reduced burden on material procurement and site operations by eliminating dependence on costly specialized materials

Validated a model that enables easy adoption in rural areas through collaboration with local construction and ready-mix companies

Collected construction data tailored to Japan’s climate, materials, and site conditions for practical deployment

Demonstrated the potential to simultaneously achieve labor reduction and preservation of local construction capabilities in regions facing labor shortages and aging workforces

Collaboration Among the Three Companies

This demonstration was made possible by combining the unique strengths of V3D Asia, Nakazawa Construction, and Unnan Ready-Mix.

V3D Asia provided its in-house developed gantry-type 3D construction printer and construction know-how. Nakazawa Construction contributed its long-standing on-site construction expertise and regional insights, supporting site preparation and execution. Unnan Ready-Mix provided material supply and technical knowledge as a local ready-mix supplier.

3D printed construction cannot be implemented with printers alone. It requires integration of materials, construction, site management, and local supply chains to become a viable on-site technology. This demonstration serves as a model case connecting local infrastructure with 3D printed construction.

Comments

Jun Asami, CEO, V3D Asia Co., Ltd.

"We are very pleased to have successfully demonstrated mortar-based 3D printed construction in Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture. To popularize 3D printed construction, it is not enough to advance printer technology alone—we must also simplify material supply and on-site operations.

The ability to leverage existing ready-mix plants and logistics networks is highly significant for real-world implementation. Through our collaboration with Nakazawa Construction and Unnan Ready-Mix, we believe we have shown a viable path to expand 3D printed construction together with local construction and material supply companies."

Nakazawa Construction Co., Ltd. Comment

"In regional construction sites, labor shortages and lack of skilled workers are growing challenges year by year. In this demonstration, by combining V3D Asia’s 3D printer technology with our on-site expertise, we were able to confirm new possibilities in construction.

We believe 3D printed construction is not merely a technology that replaces human labor, but one that can support local construction sites and better utilize the skills of craftsmen. As a locally rooted construction company, we will continue to contribute to the real-world implementation of new technologies."

Unnan Joint Ready-Mix Concrete Production Co., Ltd. Comment

"We find it highly meaningful that the mortar we supply daily can potentially be used in innovative construction methods like 3D printed construction.

If we can contribute to new construction technologies while leveraging existing ready-mix plants and logistics systems, it will create new roles for local material suppliers. We will continue to support the practical implementation of 3D printed construction by leveraging our expertise in quality control and stable supply."

Future Outlook

V3D Asia, Nakazawa Construction, and Unnan Ready-Mix will analyze construction data, material supply insights, and on-site operational challenges from this demonstration, continuing verification efforts toward practical implementation of 3D printed construction in Japan.

Moving forward, the companies plan to optimize construction conditions using mortar, adjust printer control to material characteristics, and develop collaboration models with regional construction firms.

Under the vision of "Tech for Good, Built for All," V3D Asia will continue to bridge existing construction infrastructure with advanced technologies, promoting the real-world adoption of 3D printed construction in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region.