Precast steel structure modules (MiC), with factory-made modules and on-site assembly as their core, have become a focus of global construction industry transformation due to their advantages of 50% shorter construction time, 30% lower carbon emissions, and 60% lower reliance on manual labor. Different countries have followed differentiated development paths based on their resource endowments, policy orientations, and market demands.
I. Singapore
Core Logic: Scarce land resources, population density of 7915 people/square kilometer, and strong government promotion of efficient housing construction.
Policy Driven: The Singapore Home Ownership Scheme was implemented in the 1960s. In 2014, MiC was incorporated into the national strategy, mandating the application of precast steel structure modules in high-rise residential projects at least 40%. A “Construction Productivity Fund” was established to subsidize corporate R&D investment, up to 30% of costs.
Technological Breakthroughs: Established the world’s first MiC full life-cycle standard system and led the development of ISO modular building international standards. Promoted digital twins and BIM collaborative platforms, controlling module errors to within 2 millimeters.
Typical Case: Singapore’s Housing & Development Board (HDB) Punggol Digital Park project, using MiC (Mechanical Modular Construction) steel structures to build a 20-story apartment building, reducing the construction period from 36 months to 22 months and lowering costs by 18%.
Advantages: Strong ability to export technical standards, holding 70% of the high-end market share in Southeast Asia.
Disadvantages: Limited local manufacturing capacity, relying on imported modules (mainly from Malaysia and China).
II. Japan
Core Logic: Labor shortage, average age of construction workers is 48, frequent disasters drive demand for rapid reconstruction.
Demand-Driven: Focusing on two main scenarios: elderly care facilities and emergency housing. For example, after the 2021 Fukushima earthquake, temporary shelters were built using MiC within 72 hours. Nursing homes adopt modular designs, allowing for flexible space adjustments based on the health conditions of the elderly.
Technological Innovation: Development of precast steel structure modules and lightweight composite panels, adaptable to complex terrains such as mountains and islands. Introduction of robotic welding and AI quality inspection, increasing module pass rate to 99.8%.
Industry Chain Characteristics: SMEs dominate niche markets, while large enterprises handle system integration, emphasizing human-centered details.
Challenges: High costs, 25% more expensive than traditional construction, reliance on government contracts, and low penetration in the civilian market.
III. China
Core Logic: Driven by the world’s largest steel production capacity and the dual goals of new urbanization and “dual carbon” emissions control.
Industry Chain Advantages: Leveraging the steel structure industry clusters in the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta, forming a complete chain capability encompassing design, manufacturing, logistics, and installation. Steel self-sufficiency exceeds 95%, module transportation radius reaches 800 kilometers, and costs are 50% lower than in Europe and the United States.
Dual-Engine Driven by Policy and Market: The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development’s “14th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Construction Industry” clearly defines the target proportion of prefabricated steel structures. Affordable housing, data centers, and new energy plants are becoming the main application scenarios.
Difficulties: Insufficient standardization, significant differences in regulations across regions, transportation exceeding weight limits, overcapacity in low-end production, and some enterprises engaging in price wars.
Planning: Exporting the MiC model through the “Belt and Road Initiative,” aiming for a global market share exceeding 40% by 2030.
IV. Europe and America
Representative Countries: Sweden, UK, USA.
Sweden: Pioneering modern MiC (Modular Design Modules) in the 1950s, characterized by its hybrid wood and steel modules. IKEA’s BoKlok project focuses on affordable, sustainable housing, covering 100,000 homes in Northern Europe.
UK: Legislation in 2023 requires new residential buildings to include 10% prefabricated steel structure modules. The government subsidizes “zero-carbon modules,” but the cost is high, limited to wealthy cities like London.
USA: Focusing on commercial real estate and post-disaster reconstruction, Tesla factories and California wildfire resettlement sites utilize MiC. Autodesk launched a “modular design cloud platform,” integrating supply chain data to lower the entry barrier for small and medium-sized developers.
Commonalities: High technological barriers are driven by “low-carbon certification” (LEED, BREEAM), resulting in an 80% share of the global high-end market.
European & American Commercial Real Estate, Zero-Carbon Projects
Challenges
Standardization, Transportation Restrictions
Insufficient Local Production Capacity
High Cost, Low Civilian Penetration
High Price, Slow Promotion Speed
Future Trends
Deepening Regional Division of Labor: China focuses on infrastructure in Asia, Africa, and Latin America; Singapore exports standards and technology; Europe and America control the high-end low-carbon sector.
Accelerated Technological Convergence: AI-driven design optimization, such as generative design to reduce material waste, and 3D printing of nodes and photovoltaic integrated modules are becoming key areas of competition.
Supply Chain Restructuring: Influenced by geopolitical conflicts, countries are promoting localized manufacturing, such as Europe establishing domestic module factories to reduce reliance on China.
The global competition in precast steel structure modules are essentially a contest of resources, policies, and technologies. Whoever can balance efficiency, cost, and sustainability will gain a competitive advantage in this construction revolution.
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