ATRIUM approaches project midpoint with new bio-based materials entering pilot-line development for construction applications

As the ATRIUM project reaches the midpoint of its implementation, it marks a key milestone with the first batches of its bio-based construction materials now entering pilot-line processing and structured evaluation across several manufacturing routes, from extrusion and injection moulding to mycelium fabrication and 3D printing.

The ATRIUM project is approaching the first half of its implementation and announces a milestone: initial batches of ATRIUM’s bio-based construction materials is now being used to supporting pilot-line processing and structured evaluation across several manufacturing routes.

From material batches to pilot-line processing

ATRIUM partners are progressing multiple pilot-line routes relevant to construction products:

• Co-extrusion and foaming of bio-based polyethylene (PE) composites to create lightweight extruded profiles, using recycled wood–polymer composite (WPC) materials.
• Mycelium-based materials fabrication, including the processing of mycelium acoustic panels with different surface textures and functional properties.
• Extrusion compounding and injection moulding of bio-composites, including demonstrator-oriented processing of cellulose acetate reinforced with hemp fibres (including 3D-printing trials) and PHA-based blends for injection-moulded items.
• 3D printing of hemp-based building materials, including preparatory work on mixture flowability, nozzle development, and a dedicated extruder concept for hemp–lime-based printable materials.

Evaluation and tests underway

To guide next development steps, ATRIUM is conducting test activities aligned with construction use-cases. Depending on the material and product format, this includes:

• Acoustic assessment of mycelium-based wall panels, following standardized test approaches (e.g., EN ISO 354 reverberation-room method).
• Mechanical screening and dimensional stability observations for panel and profile formats, alongside checks related to surface/handling behaviour.
• Installation-related trials for flooring concepts (including comparisons of installation approaches and adhesive options as relevant).
• Processability-focused assessments supporting scale-up in pilot lines, including rheology-oriented work for injection moulding and early-stage printability checks for 3D printing routes.