Fungal Mycelium Reduces Carbon Emissions

Mushroom Mycelium Reduces Carbon Emissions Entrepreneurs utilizing mycelium, the root system of mushrooms found underground, across various sectors are contributing to the reduction of pollution and carbon emissions. Petroleum-based plastics cannot be broken down in nature for extended periods, causing environmental pollution and toxic substance accumulation. Today, research into biodegradable products as alternatives to plastic is increasing in order to prevent such environmental problems. Biodegradable materials, compared to plastic packaging, can integrate into soil without harming the environment after completing their service life. Mycelium, one of the materials developed to prevent harm to nature and preserve ecological balance, stands out as one of biodegradable raw materials. Gökçe Işık, architect and co-founder of Mimbiosis, responding to questions about carbon-negative packaging materials developed using mycelium, stated that they transform textile waste into plastic foam alternative materials, and these foams are used as insulation materials in the automotive or construction sectors.

"It can completely dissolve within 2 months and serves as fertilizer"

Noting that the texture and appearance of their material resemble plastic foams, Işık pointed out that its compression resistance is 30 percent higher than plastic foams, and therefore can provide significant benefits particularly in electronics, white goods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics sectors in reducing damage costs that may occur during product transport. Pointing out that their mycelium-produced material prevents the creation of new waste, Işık said, "When the product reaches the end of its lifecycle and is left in soil, it can completely dissolve within 2 months and serves as fertilizer, thus increasing the fertility of the soil where it is disposed." Referring to the contribution of their developed material to reducing carbon emissions, Işık stated, "When you use material made from mycelium instead of plastic foam, you reduce carbon emissions by 324 kilograms per cubic meter."

Textile waste transforms into packaging material with mycelium

Sharing information about the production phase, Işık stated that they produce product prototypes in a laboratory at Munich Technical University in Germany: "We take textile waste and bring it together with mycelium in a mold. This mold is actually how the product will look in its final stage, and within 10 days the mycelium consumes, so to speak, this textile waste. It actually becomes their food source. Then they envelope it, and afterwards we dry it so there is no further growth. In other words, we need to stop the natural process at some point so it can be used industrially. After that, in dried form it has a long service life." Stating that they continue their work on alternative materials and usage methods in architecture, Işık expressed that they aim to develop acoustic and thermal insulation panels using mycelium and products for the construction sector.

"The recycling process is completely eliminated"

Mehmet Çerkezoğlu, founder of HAU Biotechnology, noting that they obtain biodegradable products that do not require recycling by combining mycelium with tissue engineering, explained that they currently provide brand-specific services in areas such as packaging, design and home decoration under mycelium composite products available in the market, and continue production in different sectors such as acoustic panel manufacturing. Çerkezoğlu stated that they conduct R&D work for design-oriented products such as mycelium composite panels, mycelium wood and mycelium leather. Emphasizing that environmentally friendly materials can be produced by choosing mycelium instead of plastic, Çerkezoğlu expressed, "It is possible for mycelium to replace certain plastics, with expanded polystyrene foam used for transport, packaging and protection purposes being chief among them. Using mycelium instead of plastic creates a positive approach because in this way the recycling process is completely eliminated."

"Biodegradable products are human and nature-friendly"

Drawing attention to the fact that materials produced from mycelium can be used for up to 10 years with the same quality and performance when stored under appropriate conditions, Çerkezoğlu continued as follows: "When mycelium products complete all necessary uses and are broken down and left underground, they do not create an ecological problem. These products begin to dissolve and decompose through bacteria within 60-90 days, completely disappearing in soil within approximately 3-4 months." Stating that materials produced from agricultural waste such as corn cobs, corn silks or walnut shells, which are not consumed as food, particularly mycelium, pose no health risks, and that there is no objection to people without allergies to mushrooms or any food products choosing these products, Çerkezoğlu noted that biodegradable products obtained without using chemicals are human and nature-friendly.

Stating that the Covid-19 pandemic and extreme weather events resulting from climate change are nature's open response to humans, Çerkezoğlu concluded his remarks as follows:

"Beginning with regulations, people need to demand these both from themselves and from producers. If people increase their demand for these packaging and by-products, producers and institutions will also adapt to innovations."   Source