New York Company Makes Packaging from Agricultural Waste and Mushrooms
Alyson Wyers — June 24, 2013 — Social Good
References: ecovativedesign & slate
Ecovative, based out of Green Island, New York, manufactures sustainable packaging from agricultural waste and the mycelium (in essence, the root) of mushrooms. Company co-founder Eben Bayer says the sustainable packaging is cost-effective enough to compete with Styrofoam and other synthetic packing materials, "Plastics start with expensive, finite feedstocks derived from oil or natural gas. We're starting with waste from farms."
The company is also looking to expand its designs from sustainable packaging to also include building materials, consumer products, automotive applications, and structural composites. Due to the fact that these products are made from agricultural waste and mushrooms, they are not only sustainable, but are also energy-efficient, non-polluting, and biodegradable.
The sustainable packaging is structurally strong too, since the mycelium is a strong bonding agent. Eben notes, "The strength of our products comes from the mycelium, which consists of millions of tiny fibers. The fibers bond with chitin—a natural plastic produced by mushrooms, similar to what crab shells are made of. Together, these act like a glue, fusing agricultural waste such as seed husks into solid forms. Our materials basically self-assemble; the organism is doing most of the work."
The company is also looking to expand its designs from sustainable packaging to also include building materials, consumer products, automotive applications, and structural composites. Due to the fact that these products are made from agricultural waste and mushrooms, they are not only sustainable, but are also energy-efficient, non-polluting, and biodegradable.
The sustainable packaging is structurally strong too, since the mycelium is a strong bonding agent. Eben notes, "The strength of our products comes from the mycelium, which consists of millions of tiny fibers. The fibers bond with chitin—a natural plastic produced by mushrooms, similar to what crab shells are made of. Together, these act like a glue, fusing agricultural waste such as seed husks into solid forms. Our materials basically self-assemble; the organism is doing most of the work."
Trend Themes
1. Sustainable Packaging - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop new, eco-friendly packaging alternatives using agricultural waste and natural materials.
2. Bio-based Building Materials - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create sustainable construction materials using mycelium and agricultural waste, reducing reliance on traditional synthetic materials.
3. Biodegradable Consumer Products - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design and manufacture consumer products that are biodegradable and environmentally friendly, using mushroom-derived materials and agricultural waste.
Industry Implications
1. Packaging Industry - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Revolutionize the packaging industry by introducing sustainable alternatives to Styrofoam and synthetic materials.
2. Construction Industry - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Transform the construction industry by developing bio-based building materials that are sustainable, energy-efficient, and biodegradable.
3. Consumer Goods Industry - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Disrupt the consumer goods industry by producing biodegradable products made from mushroom-derived materials, reducing environmental impact.
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