FAQ´s
Mycelium
Is mycelium safe to use?
Mycelium is safe to use. It is mainly composed of natural polymers as chitin, cellulose, proteins, etc, so it is a natural polymeric composite fibrous material. But we definitely do not recommend eating the substrate.
Is mycelium waterproof?
No, the material will lose rigidity and will become susceptible to degradation when repeatedly exposing it to water. It does repulse water for some time and it even floats! Of course, it not raining all the time. In between showers the material will passively dry and maintain some rigidity. But in the long run, it will lose.
We are working on the development of a bio-based coating that makes our material 100% waterproof.
After the Mycelium has been baked, will it biodegrade safely when left outside?
Yes, it will biodegrade. But there is something you need to know about it: biodegradation takes place under influence of outdoor conditions, and these conditions can differ from location to location. It is probably easy to understand that a product will biodegrade easier in a hot, humid, and tropic environment than on the north (or south) pole. Also, the size of the product is important: crumbling your mycelium product will speed up the biodegradation. There is more: biodegradation is quicker when there is oxygen. So, in a marine environment like the sea, underwater, biodegradation is even more difficult. But we are happy to tell you that Mushroom ® Packaging is also marine compostable.
Can mycelium be stored in wet areas?
It is better not to store mycelium in wet areas, because when the mycelium gets wet it will lose its strength. So, the material itself should be kept dry. Furthermore, other fungi might exist in wet areas which consider mycelium as nutrition. One way to protect it is by using a coating.
How can I change the colour of mycelium?
There are two ways: use biobased paint or milk paint. We recommend using milk paint. If you want the mycelium to do the work, you just need more time. That is a tricky process because growing the substrate too long means that you may see mushrooms coming out, which will weaken the base structure. We usually extend by one week to create darker, greyish but sometimes also brown or orange colours.
So, how long does the final mycelium material last?
It strongly depends on the environment in which you place your product. If you keep it in an inside environment, its lifespan can be a couple of years. Only when it comes into direct contact with soil or water it will start to degrade. Do not expose to high humidity.
MycoComposite ™
I am looking for a sustainable packaging alternative for my product. Is my business product suitable for MycoComposite™?
Every case is different, but we are happy to explore possible packaging solutions for your product. Reach out to use and we can discuss how suitable your product is.
At GROWN bio, we focus upon sustainable packaging solutions for people that are looking for circular alternatives. We grow packaging for bottles, electronics, cosmetic products or any other shape that needs to be packed. Check out this page to find out more about mycelium packaging!
What are the properties of your MycoComposite™?
We have summarized the properties in a spec sheet for you. Click here to download the specifications sheet.
I want to experiment with my product once I received it. How can I adapt my products post-production ?
The possibilities are endless! You can for example cut the material with a saw, drill holes in it or cover it in laminated wood. We recommend natural, biobased sealants as the purpose of the material is to not add toxins to the environment. The material can be sanded and finished with beeswax, milk paint, water-based polyurethane, and more.
I want to experiment with my product once I received it. How can I adapt my products post-production ?
The possibilities are endless! You can for example cut the material with a saw, drill holes in it or cover it in laminated wood. We recommend natural, biobased sealants as the purpose of the material is to not add toxins to the environment. The material can be sanded and finished with beeswax, milk paint, water-based polyurethane, and more.