Porous extrudates consisting of a packing of model spherical alumina particles with different median diameters (1.7 mu m and 19 mu m) were prepared. Peptized boehmite and aluminophosphate binders were used in order to ensure the cohesion of the materials. Combined effect of the multiscale packing of porous alumina particles contributed to generate supports with low binder content and good mechanical strength. The resulted microstructure is very attractive for porous materials such as catalyst supports and adsorbents and can be easily controlled by selecting relevant filler particles. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.