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New investment fuels expansion of sustainable modular housing manufacturer GROPYUS.
Vienna-based GROPYUS, known for creating timber-hybrid buildings, has secured €100M (AU$167M) in new funding to expand its operations and further its mission of developing affordable, sustainable modular housing. This investment round was led by Portuguese investment firm Semapa, with support from US-based Practical Venture Capital. Since its founding in 2019, GROPYUS has raised a total of €300M (AU$500M) in equity to support its vision of transforming the construction industry through technology and automation. (main pic: GROPYUS attracts additional funding for sustainable modular construction.)
This latest funding follows GROPYUS’ successful venture debt loan of €40M (AU$67M) from the European Investment Bank (EIB) in March 2023. The new capital will be directed towards expanding its fully digitally operated smart factory in Richen, Germany, and further enhancing its technology platform.
Hybrid timber modular housing building by GROPYUS
Automated, Sustainable Housing Production
At the heart of GROPYUS’ modular construction operations is a process that integrates design, manufacturing, and assembly to create sustainable modular buildings with minimal waste. The company employs a highly automated and digitised approach to produce timber-hybrid building components in a controlled factory environment, reducing the variability and inefficiencies typically associated with traditional construction methods.
GROPYUS’ manufacturing process begins with digital design optimisation, where building plans are modelled for precision and compatibility. The design files are then sent to the company’s smart factory, where automated machinery cuts, drills, and assembles key structural elements, such as wall and ceiling components. By the end of 2024, the expanded facility in Richen will be capable of producing a wall or ceiling element in just 16 minutes, with up to 86% of the production process fully automated.
The company’s emphasis on automation is driven by the need to increase productivity, reduce costs, and improve the sustainability of building construction. GROPYUS’ current annual production capacity is set to reach 250,000 square metres of gross floor area, equivalent to over 3,500 apartments. With further enhancements, GROPYUS aims to increase capacity to 300,000 square metres annually, positioning itself as a leading provider of modular, sustainable housing in Europe.
Industrialising Construction to Address Housing Needs
CEO and co-founder Markus Fuhrmann stated that the capital infusion is vital to support GROPYUS’ growth and meet the growing demand for cost-effective, sustainable housing. He stressed that the climate crisis and ongoing housing shortages require new approaches that go beyond traditional construction techniques. By industrialising and automating the building process, GROPYUS aims to create scalable solutions that can be rapidly deployed to address the challenges facing the construction sector.
Fuhrmann explained that the new funds will support the development of the company’s advanced robotic systems and digital tools, which are designed to streamline construction workflows and enhance precision. This approach not only reduces waste and carbon emissions but also shortens construction timelines, enabling GROPYUS to deliver projects faster and at a lower cost.
The company currently employs around 400 staff across its offices in Vienna, Berlin, Steinhaus, and Richen, and is actively working on multiple projects in Germany. Notable developments include an apartment building in Berlin comprising 27 units, and a residential complex in Immendingen, Baden-Württemberg, featuring nine buildings with a total of 99 apartments.
