Mycelium

Mycelium composites are high-grade natural foams made from 100% Swiss organic waste and mushroom roots (mycelium). They are a scalable alternative to environmentally harmful plastic. After use, they can simply be composted at home - without any recycling infrastructure. Mycrobez's plastic-free natural foam achieves excellent values in shock resistance, thermal and acoustic insulation, stability, and weight, and is also difficult to ignite. Due to its adaptable material properties and versatile application areas, mycelium composites profitably fill gaps in the material cycles of companies. This leads to an improved sustainability balance for user. In its production, Mycrobez uses one of the oldest biological processes on our planet: The combination of organic matter with mycelium, the root network of fungi. This innovative yet ancient symbiosis of nature and technology makes it possible to replace environmentally harmful foams with a climate-positive material.

Making process

Step 1: Local biowaste is collected and analysed, often from the agriculture & food industry.
Step 2: Substrate composition - Application-specific mixture of the growing medium (substrate) is put together.
Step 3: Substrate is sterilised.
Step 4: Inoculation - The substrate is inoculated with fungal cultures and the growing process is started.
Step 5: Moulding - The growing substrate is shaped by injecting it inside a mould.
Step 6: Incubation - In our growth chambers, we offer the mushroom an ideal microclimate.
Step 7: Demoulding - Once growth is complete, the mycelium composite is demoulded.
Step 8: Drying - Gentle drying gives the mycelium composite its final material properties.
Step 9: Product - The result is a multifunctional natural foam that brings sustainability to various industries.

Text submitted by the maker and edited by the Future Materials Bank. For information about reproducing (a part of) this text, please contact the maker.