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In an attempt to prevent waste from plastic products that have already been produced from destroying the environment, research is being conducted focusing on extreme microorganisms and insects that produce enzymes that can degrade plastic. Meanwhile, Ecovative Design, a bio-venture based in New York, USA, started an effort to reduce plastic waste using mushrooms.
When it comes to mushrooms, you may think of mushrooms sold in supermarkets, but what the company paid attention to was mycelium, which is a plant root. It succeeded in developing a mushroom-derived material that replaces plastic with a technology that rapidly grows mushroom mycelium in a free form.
MycoComposite, a packaging material made with mushrooms by EcoBative Design, can be used like styrofoam. All you need for manufacturing is a piece of wood, a little water, and electricity. It has the unique advantages of mushrooms such as water resistance as well as flame retardancy.
The biggest feature of Myco Composite is that it is easily decomposed when placed in the soil and returns to the soil, unlike plastic products that are only incinerated and landfilled. CEO Eben Bayer emphasizes that while plastic waste pollutes the environment, mushroom material does not pollute the soil, it becomes a nutrient.
The possibility of mushrooms is being developed not only as a packaging material, but also as MycoFlex, a mycelium fibrous. Mycoflex can be processed like genuine leather, making bags and jackets derived from plants. In addition, Atlast Food, which has been independent as an eco-basic design food part, is developing 100% plant-derived bacon.
EcoBative Design is conducting research to accelerate mushroom cultivation by 10 times by investing $10 million in research funding. The company said that mushrooms have infinite possibilities, and it is said that one day it is a dream to form capillaries from the hyphae to create organs such as artificial lungs using human cells. Related information can be found here .
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