BIO-2-PRINT partners met in Sligo

In early June, Sligo’s coastal landscape set the stage for the launch of BIO-2-PRINT. Over two days, our partner network immersed itself in hands-on explorations, from a guided seaweed foraging excursion along the rugged shore to an up-close look at raw materials at Kerrigan’s Quarry. Back in the lab, a large-scale construction 3D printer roared to life, offering a glimpse of how recycled and natural fibres can be transformed into structural components.

That field-to-fab journey was more than a show-and-tell. It underscored the project’s four core ambitions over the next three years:

• Mapping & collection: Identifying bio-waste streams across the Northern Periphery and Arctic region.
• Material innovation: Extracting and combining natural fibres with recycled polymers and concrete to create feedstocks that meet industry standards for strength and durability.
• Pilot printing: Demonstrating real-world applications, from panels and blocks to bespoke building elements, using our new composite formulations.
• Roadmapping for industry: Crafting a practical guide that helps businesses navigate from ideas to full-scale implementation.

By bringing together fieldwork, lab trials and strategic planning in one kickoff event, BIO-2-PRINT has laid a solid foundation for turning overlooked biomass into tomorrow’s sustainable materials. Stay tuned as we convert waste into value, one print at a time.