Prime Highlights

• Walmart is partnering with Alquist to build multiple new 3D-printed commercial buildings.
• The move marks a major step in bringing fast, efficient, and modern construction methods to large retailers.

Key Facts

• Alquist has teamed up with Sika, which will supply materials for all upcoming 3D-printed projects.
• The partnership aims to lower costs, speed up construction, and support sustainability in large-scale building work.

Background

Walmart has reached a major agreement with Alquist to build more than a dozen new commercial buildings using large-scale 3D printing. This partnership is one of the biggest steps toward bringing 3D-printed construction into the commercial real estate sector, which has been slow to adopt new building technologies.

The collaboration follows Alquist’s successful completion of an 8,000-square-foot 3D-printed addition at a Walmart store in Athens, Tennessee, the largest commercial structure of its kind in the United States. The first project had some issues, but it showed that the technology works and pushed Walmart to grow it further.

To support its expansion, Alquist has partnered with Sika, a leading sustainable materials company. Sika will supply materials for all future 3D-printed projects, helping lower costs and boost efficiency.

Patrick Callahan, CEO of Alquist, said scaling up production is key to making 3D-printed construction financially viable. “Once suppliers see real volume, the cost curve starts to come down,” he noted, adding that the company is now working with national partners to expand rapidly across the commercial market.

Alquist’s second Walmart project, a 5,000-square-foot pickup center in Huntsville, Alabama, was printed in just seven days, showcasing the dramatic speed advantage 3D printing can offer. Although 3D printing needs fewer workers, it depends on well-trained operators. This is why Alquist is working with trade schools to train people in robotics and new building materials.

Interest in commercial 3D printing is rising. Icon, which is known for 3D-printed homes, is now preparing to enter commercial construction with its new Titan printer, built for larger projects.

Experts say the coming year will be important. With faster construction, less waste, and lower costs, 3D-printed buildings are becoming a realistic option for companies, especially retailers and industries that need quick expansion.

As Walmart begins rolling out its new wave of 3D-printed buildings, the deal signals a turning point for commercial real estate: technology-driven, cost-efficient, and ready to scale far beyond pilot projects.