Foldcast secures €160K to reduce concrete use with recyclable paper moulds

Swiss construction technology startup Foldcast has secured €160,000 (CHF 150,000) in funding from Venture Kick to develop its innovative recyclable paper mould technology for concrete construction. The startup, founded by Fabio Amicarelli and Ena Lloret-Fritschi as a spin-off from Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), aims to reduce concrete use and associated environmental impact.

Foldcast's approach combines recyclable paper-based moulds, design software, and digital manufacturing to create material-efficient concrete elements. Traditional concrete construction contributes significantly to global CO₂ emissions, with estimates suggesting it accounts for around eight percent. At the same time, conventional wood and metal formwork can limit the production of optimised shapes and increase construction costs.

The company's flexible paper moulds allow for customised concrete elements to be produced only where structural requirements dictate. Its software assists in designing and optimising structural components, while digital manufacturing produces the necessary formwork. This method promises to reduce material consumption and emissions while maintaining structural performance.

Initially targeting sustainability-focused real estate developers and institutional asset owners in Switzerland and other European markets, Foldcast plans to expand its reach to precast concrete manufacturers as production and licensing partners in the future. The newly acquired funding will be used to transition from technology validation to market entry, with the company targeting the completion of two pilot projects, developing a minimum viable product for its software, establishing industrial production partnerships in Switzerland, and enhancing sales and business development activities.