Mycelium is a remarkable age-old living organism that plays a vital role in nature. More recently, mycelium has also emerged as a versatile and sustainable substitute material with a wide range of functionalities across industries, such as packaging.
What is mycelium?
When asked to sketch a mushroom, you’ll probably draw a stem and a cap. But that only makes up a small part of the entire mushroom.
Hidden beneath the earth lays a large network of mycelium, the root structure of fungi. This web-like structure is essential to the functioning of life on earth. It spreads throughout its environment, helping to bind soil and transform organic matter, such as dead animals or plants, into valuable nutrients.
Researchers have also found that mycelial networks function as an underground communication system between plants and trees.
Using mycelium for packaging
In nature, the Mycelium lives, breathes, and grows by using organic matter as energy. In our factory, we replicate this process to grow packaging. Watch how we do it here.
Our so-called substrate consists of organic waste fibres, such as hemp, and mycelium. We fill it into growth forms, in which the mycelium feeds on the organic waste and binds the fibres together, taking on the desired shape.
Once it has become a bound product, we bake it in an oven to kill the mycelium, and end up with a product that is 100% home and marine compostable and the following advantages:
- Carbon negative
- Strong and protective
- Water-resistant
- Lightweight
- Fire-retardant
- Insulating
- Scalable in any size and shape
- Has a unique feel and velvet touch
Mycelium is the future of sustainability
EU-wide regulations are paving the way for bio-based packaging, such as Mycelium Packaging, to become standard packaging options. Mycelium is a sustainable and circular solution that promises many advantages.
Mycelium Packaging is CO2-negative and saves ~600gr CO2 per L of packaging compared to EPS (Expanded Polystyrene), allowing companies to reduce their carbon footprint.
It is strong, yet lightweight, successfully protecting sensitive and expensive products, while saving money on shipping costs.
As a home-compostable option, Mycelium Packaging reduces plastic pollution and limits disposal costs, such as Extended Producer Responsibility costs.
