Prefabrication faces an exciting year in 2025, characterized by technological innovation and changing market demands. In this article, we take a look at the key trends and perspectives that will shape the future of prefabrication.
1. Sustainability and environmental awareness
Sustainability remains a key issue in the construction industry. Demand for greener and more energy-efficient solutions continues to grow. Prefabrication offers significant advantages by reducing material waste and construction time. Prefabrication is also increasingly relying on environmentally friendly materials and processes to reduce its environmental footprint. The implementation of ESG criteria and CO₂ reduction is becoming an integral part of building design. Manufacturers are integrating circular economy principles such as recycling and reuse into their manufacturing processes to reduce raw material consumption and waste. In addition, the development of durable products with modular components promotes a longer product life cycle. The use of renewable materials, energy-efficient machinery, and intelligent manufacturing systems also contributes to sustainability.
2. Trend towards modular and mass production
Given the shortage of skilled labor and the need for cost-effective construction, industrial prefabrication is gaining in importance. Modular buildings, whose room cells are produced in factories under controlled conditions, allow for faster construction times and more precise use of materials. As well as being faster and cheaper to build, this method of construction offers higher quality. Modular construction with standardized elements also promotes efficiency and could make a significant contribution to reducing costs.
According to the latest figures from the market research institute USP, construction companies expect that around 27% of all planned new buildings in 2025 will be prefabricated. This figure is expected to rise to around 35% by 2030.
3. Technological advances
Robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) are critical to prefabrication, improving the automation of production processes and the precision with which components are manufactured. AI-based systems analyze large amounts of data to optimize planning and logistics and develop more efficient construction processes. Robots and AI also enable continuous monitoring and quality control, increasing construction speed and reducing error rates. These developments lead to more efficient processes, more accurate cost estimates, and improved collaboration between all parties involved in construction projects.
4. Material innovation - trend towards wood and hybrids
USP also asked construction companies which material is most commonly used for prefabricated panel systems or elements. The results indicate that concrete is and remains the first choice, especially in Poland (29%), Italy (35%), Germany (44%) and Belgium (66%). Wood is a close second and is already the dominant material in the UK, France and the Netherlands (42%, 60%, and 62% respectively).
Most builders expect wood and wood-based materials to grow most in prefabricated and modular construction – up to 40%. Figures vary from country to country, but contractors in Germany and Poland expect concrete to grow the most in their respective markets. This highlights regional differences in material preferences and construction methods, reflecting the unique building landscape and requirements of each country.
5. DfMA
Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) is a formal design approach that focuses on making products easy and efficient to manufacture and assemble. DfMA will significantly shape the future of prefabrication by driving efficiency, sustainability, and innovation in the industry.
DfMA offers the following benefits:
- Minimize the overall cost and effort of production
- Reduce the number of parts
- Simplify part geometry
- Optimize tolerances
- Improve clarity and unambiguity during assembly
- Eliminate or reduce the need for adjustment
Conclusion
The prefabrication industry faces a dynamic 2025, characterized by technological innovation, sustainable materials, and new market demands. Companies that identify and implement these trends early will be able to compete in a highly competitive market.
Join our free webinar to find out how you can turn these trends into opportunities for your business. The future of prefabrication starts now – be part of it!
