At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the king of Saudi Arabia, Salman Ben Abdul Aziz Al-Shahat, paid a state visit to China from March 15 to March 18. On March 16, King Salman witnessed the signing of a memorandum of cooperation for extensive 3D printing construction operations between the Saudi Almobty Construction Group and house 3D printing pioneer Winsun (Ying Chuang).

Middle East Favors 3D Printed Architectures

This contract with Saudi Arabia is another major international cooperation in the Middle East after the cooperation with Dubai to print 17 office buildings. Saudi Arabia will work with Winsun to build no less than 30 million square meters of 3D printing construction projects, leasing as many as 100 3D printing construction equipment from the Chinese company. The deal is valued at 10 billion yuan (roughly 1.5 billion US dollars) and also includes Winsun’s commitment to complete 100 sets of 3D printing equipment to be shipped to the Saudi kingdom within 6 months.

The amount of the deal does seem incredibly large (considering that GE purchased almost 2 entire metal 3D printing companies for about the same amount), however it must be considered that in the wealthy areas of the Middle East and especially in China the costs relating to construction and housing development are significantly higher than in most Western countries.

Ying Chuang will be available in Saudi Arabia under the Mayidida brand (www.mayidida.com)” as a global 3D print service platform. It is considered of high interest to the King as its 3D printing construction technology builds with less construction waste and also uses a green, eco-friendly “cement ink” thus saving on materials and labor costs. Furthermore it shortens the construction period, improving building quality, and i capable of offering highly personalized precision printing.

The Chinese company’s 3D printing for rapid construction technology can also offer a viable solution to the local hot weather in Saudi Arabia, where traditional construction methods can prove strenuous on human laborers. With this deal Winsun/Ying Chuang is establishing itself as a world leader in 3D print building technology.

Ying Chong Light Assets

The signing is Ying Chuang’s response China’s President’s call, followed by the national strategy to invest leading 3D printing green building technologies to write a new chapter in Chinese enterprise science and technology.

Ying Chuang will use the new business model to establish a new generation of green buildings. Chairman Ma Yihe said that Ying Chuang will provide technical authorization, equipment rental, brand use and other light assets, making it possible for others to embrace 3D printing of green construction technologies. The Mayidida Internet platform represents a first step in helping enterprises to link with global architectural designers and customer resources; as well as build factories with the local joint venture.

Winsun/Ying Chuang intends to use the new Saudi-style light asset cooperation model in different countries around the world, as well as in different regions, different areas, to open up its technological capabilities. Liu Wenmin, vice President of Ying Chuang, who was present at the signing, also participated in the “Saudi Arabia – China Investment Forum”, with Saudi royal family members, the Saudi Economic Planning Department and other ministers and more than 600 entrepreneurs on both sides of the strategic cooperation.

Signed the night, Saudi King Salman at the China Hotel to meet the participants of the record, Huawei, ZTE, Sany Heavy Industry and other 21 Chinese entrepreneurs. King Salman said that his government attaches great importance to economic and trade cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia. He expressed the hope that the two countries will further strengthen exchanges and explore synergies in order to push forward the development of China-Saudi cooperation and serve the interests of the two peoples.