The bioeconomy is a hot topic these days, right up at the top of policy agendas. It involves using renewable natural resources as a raw material. The circular bioeconomy introduces circularity into this concept: using what would otherwise be thrown away, using spent biological resources to regenerate ecosystems and minimising waste.

The ECESP website has a good selection of circular bioeconomy-themed content. This series will shine a spotlight on it.

Circular bioeconomy concept: biodegradable packaging from mycelium and agricultural waste

Grown bio is a biotechnology company that has developed an innovative use for mycelium, the network of mushroom roots. It uses the mycelium as a binding agent for agricultural waste to create fully biodegradable and toxic-free packaging or insulation material.

By adding mycelium to a substrate of organic agricultural waste, finished products are literally 'grown' within 3D-printed moulds made of renewable polymer. It's a quick process: the mycelium grows and binds within five days, and the finished products are dried in two days. Discarded moulds are shredded for in-house re-use. The initial biological mix can be adjusted for the desired composite density and properties.

Mycelium composites are an ecological alternative to fossil-fuel-based plastics such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) and expanded polypropene (EPP).

The composites have the perfect properties for packaging, as they are shock absorbing, insulating, made of 100% biological materials and can be made in numerous shapes. The material has good insulation properties, as well as keeping products hot or cold. For that reason, it can be used for insulation panels in building and construction. A third application is in interiors and design products: lamps, pouffes, tables have already been grown. In addition, at the end of their useful life mycelium composites can be used as fertilisers.