A new packaging solution designed as an alternative to plastic is entering the industrial market. The British company Magical Mushroom Company (MMC) announced in March the launch of large-scale production of its biodegradable packaging derived from mushrooms. The packaging is promoted as completely biodegradable. It breaks down in soil in 40 days and in water in 180 days.
The first plant, in the United Kingdom, began production in August 2020 and has the capacity to produce more than one million packaging units per year. A second plant opening in 2021 will increase production to more than 3 million packages per year.
"Uniquely, this new packaging offers the same performance at a comparable cost as traditional polystyrene, and is already being used to protect products ranging from stoves to cosmetics and a wide variety of everyday consumer products, including Diageo's non-alcoholic gin brand, Seedlip, explains Magical Mushroom Company.
Waste combined with mycelium
This new packaging is developed with mycelium composite technology, developed and patented by the American company Ecovative Design. The process is achieved by combining agricultural waste (hops, wood, corn, hemp...) and mycelium, the root system of the fungus. The material is then put into a mold and baked. The production of the packaging takes a total of 14 days.
Paul Gilligan, founder and CEO of the company, comments:
"We call ourselves the Magical Mushroom Company for a reason. The unique qualities of mycelium are truly magical, allowing us to produce a strong, cost-effective and totally sustainable alternative to polystyrene packaging that biodegrades in the garden in less than 40 days.»
