The startup that prints concrete

“A train was passing by that we had to catch.” These are the words Roger Uceda explains why he embarked on founding the startup Aridditive. As head of the technology transfer unit at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia – BarcelonaTech and the Centre CIM Foundation, Uceda saw the opportunity to bring to market a technology born from more than 10 years of research in 3D concrete printing. The initial idea of ​​the protagonist was not to lead the project, but there was a change of plans. “I contacted Arnau to have him found the company, but we were mutually excited, and that's why I decided to be one of the founders as well,” the entrepreneur recalls.

Roger Uceda and Arnau Cumelles Céspedes founded Aridditive in August 2023. A year later, in August 2024, the entrepreneurs closed a €500,000 funding round with BeAble Capital and Suma Capital. This financial injection was complemented by €100,000 in public funding from Acció's Startup Capital program. This money has given rise to the Aridditive Technology and Innovation Center, which opened in early April 2025.

The Aridditive Technology and Innovation Center is a 1,000 m² space located in Sant Vicenç dels Horts. The location is no coincidence. “Many companies in the construction sector are located here and are potential clients,” explains Uceda. The center houses a plant for manufacturing 3D printers, a demonstration area, a space for researching applications, and the startup's offices.

“3D concrete printing allows for the faster, more economical, more sustainable manufacture of concrete pieces, and with greater design possibilities,” says the entrepreneur. Uceda adds that, as “it's a technology that automates the concrete piece manufacturing process, it addresses the serious problem of labor shortages in the construction sector.” This method can be used to manufacture everything from urban furniture to façade elements.

Aridditive, which doesn't sell 3D printers but rather offers printing services, has a clear international focus. "For now, we've focused on the domestic market, but we're already in talks with partners in Europe, Asia, and the Americas to export the business model to these markets," explains the co-founder. The ultimate goal is to transform construction through additive manufacturing.