Alternatives for an effective Transition to sustainable, Reusable and recyclable construction products by the Innovative production of User and eco-friendly bio-based Materials.

Project Information

ATRIUM

Grant agreement ID: 101135031

DOI

10.3030/101135031

EC signature date 9 October 2024

Start date 1 July 2024

End date 31 December 2027

Funded under

• Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Total cost

€ 5 419 500,00

EU contribution

€ 4 813 575,00

Coordinated by

FUNDACION AITIIP
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ATRIUM (Alternatives for an effective Transition to sustainable, Reusable and recyclable construction products by the Innovative production of User and eco-friendly bio-based Materials.)

Reporting period: 2024-07-01 to 2026-02-28

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The ATRIUM project supports the transition towards sustainable, reusable and recyclable construction products through the development and demonstration of a new generation of bio‑based materials and consumer‑oriented construction solutions. It combines natural fibres—primarily hemp—with advanced bioplastics and mycelium‑based biotechnology to create safe, high‑performance bio‑composites suitable for construction applications.
The project’s main objective is to replace fossil‑based construction materials with bio‑based alternatives that meet technical, safety and regulatory requirements while contributing to climate neutrality and circularity. ATRIUM develops six bio‑based materials, converts them into four intermediate bio‑composites, and validates their application in five construction products: outdoor decking, indoor flooring, acoustic panels, plug‑and‑play green wall systems and bio‑based building blocks. These developments are supported by four innovative processing routes—co‑extrusion with foaming, mycelium bio‑manufacturing, extrusion‑compounding with injection moulding and additive manufacturing—progressed towards industrial scalability.
A key feature of ATRIUM is the validation of its solutions in real‑world environments, with active involvement of value‑chain actors. Products and processes are demonstrated in three complementary contexts: a renovation‑focused site in Vienna, a citizen‑driven experimentation environment in Zaragoza, and an academic and climatic testing setting in Israel. These sites combine technical validation with user feedback and sustainability assessment, strengthening result credibility and transferability.
At scientific and technological level, ATRIUM advances the state of the art in bio‑based construction materials and hybrid biomanufacturing, supporting the development of circular bio‑based value chains. At market level, the project contributes to viable business models and industrial symbioses, particularly benefiting SMEs, while reducing risks through pilot‑scale validation and demonstrators.
Environmentally and socially, ATRIUM is expected to lower the carbon footprint and resource intensity of construction products, improve indoor environmental quality through non‑toxic materials, and enable reuse, recycling or biodegradation at end of life. Finally, the project contributes to EU policy objectives by providing evidence to support adapted standardisation and regulatory frameworks, facilitating wider uptake of bio‑based construction solutions in Europe and beyond.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During the first 18 months, ATRIUM achieved substantial technical and scientific progress, advancing from material design to pilot‑scale validation of bio‑based construction solutions. Activities covered the full technological chain, including material formulation, process optimisation and functional characterisation in view of integration into final products.
Significant progress was made in developing and upscaling bio‑based materials. Bio‑PE composites with recycled organic fillers were optimised for co‑extrusion and foaming, identifying formulations with high bio‑based content (>95%), suitable melt strength and controlled foaming behaviour. These materials were produced at pilot scale in batches of several hundred kilograms, meeting density and processability targets for lightweight decking.
In parallel, PHA‑based biocomposites reinforced with hemp and softwood fibres were developed for injection‑moulded applications, notably planting pots for modular green walls. Mechanical, thermal and rheological tests showed performance comparable to fossil‑based benchmarks, with two formulations scaled up to 60 kg and validated through industrial injection moulding.
Cellulose‑acetate composites reinforced with hemp fibres were also developed for additive manufacturing to produce a green wall. A formulation with 5 wt.% hemp fibres was selected after systematic screening and compounded at 50 kg scale for large‑format 3D printing.
Major advances were achieved in mycelium‑based materials through multilayer acoustic and insulation panels, improving fire performance, dimensional stability and acoustic absorption. Fire testing confirmed a B‑s1‑d0 classification, panel dimensions were increased to 120 × 160 cm, and production exceeded 1,000 m².
To address bonding and moisture sensitivity, a fructose‑based bio‑adhesive was developed, significantly improving internal bond strength, while further optimisation is ongoing. Hemp‑lime mixtures were also formulated for extrusion‑based additive manufacturing, achieving stable extrusion, good buildability and dry densities around 1,000 kg/m³, suitable for non‑load‑bearing blocks.
Overall, ATRIUM validated four innovative processing routes—co‑extrusion with foaming, mycelium bio‑manufacturing, extrusion‑compounding with injection moulding, and additive manufacturing—at pilot scale, providing a strong basis for upcoming demonstration and performance assessment phases.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

ATRIUM has delivered strong technical and scientific results demonstrating that bio‑based, circular construction solutions are viable alternatives to fossil‑based materials. The project developed and validated a portfolio of bio‑based materials, including bio‑PE composites with recycled organic fillers, natural‑fibre‑reinforced PHA and cellulose‑acetate biocomposites, mycelium‑based panels and tiles, and hemp‑lime composites for additive manufacturing. Several materials were produced at pilot scale, enabling validation under realistic processing and performance conditions.
In parallel, ATRIUM validated four innovative manufacturing routes—co‑extrusion with foaming, mycelium bio‑manufacturing, extrusion‑compounding with injection moulding, and additive manufacturing—demonstrating stable processing compatible with construction‑sector requirements. Key functional properties such as mechanical performance, fire reaction, acoustic and thermal behaviour, and dimensional stability were systematically assessed. Selected products achieved performance comparable to conventional benchmarks and, in some cases, regulatory‑relevant classifications. ATRIUM also established integrated material–process–product development pathways aligned with a Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework.
Overall, these results have impacts at multiple levels. Scientifically and technologically, ATRIUM advances the state of the art in bio‑based construction through hybrid material systems and adaptation of established industrial processes to bio‑based feedstocks. At industrial and market level, the project reduces technological risks, supporting circular value chains and opportunities for SMEs. Environmentally, ATRIUM solutions show potential to reduce fossil resource use, lower embodied carbon and improve circularity, while contributing to healthier indoor environments.
For further uptake and long‑term success, continued demonstration and monitoring are needed to confirm durability and real‑life performance. Additional technical optimisation and industrial scale‑up will be required to align products with harmonised standards and improve cost competitiveness. Supportive regulatory and standardisation frameworks—particularly clear pathways under the Construction Products Regulation and development of European Assessment Documents—together with coordinated IPR and internationalisation strategies, will be key to enabling wider deployment of ATRIUM innovations.