Company grows durable, sustainable materials from fungus
There is more to sustainability that renewable fuel, however, as Ecovative Design, a biomaterials company, is keen to show. The company has made a name for itself in the realm of sustainable materials but replacing the harmful chemicals found in most industrial products with what it calls “mushroom technology.” Indeed, the company uses fungus to create anything from insulation to packaging materials.
Alternative energies garner the majority of attention from the media when it comes to sustainability.
There is more to sustainability that renewable fuel, however, as Ecovative Design, a biomaterials company, is keen to show. The company has made a name for itself in the realm of sustainable materials but replacing the harmful chemicals found in most industrial products with what it calls “mushroom technology.” Indeed, the company uses fungus to create anything from insulation to packaging materials.
The fungus in question is mycelium, a thread-like network of fungal components that is, essentially, a naturally occurring adhesive. The fungus is grown in the dark, fed with plant stalks and seed husks until for about a week. It is then harvested and heated to halt any further growth. After heating, the fungus becomes a very durable, waterproof material that can be used in a variety of ways.
