Developing the best available mycelium biocomposite that can be used as a circular, biodegradable insulation material for the construction industry was the goal of the recently completed Mythic project, led by MNEXT. These mycelium biocomposites, developed with agricultural byproducts and mushroom mycelium, offer a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil-based construction materials. The most successful mycelium biocomposite material, made from rapeseed straw and Ganoderma resinaceum mycelium, proves ideal for insulation. Read all about the project results in the whitepaper.
The Mythic project focused on optimizing mycelium biocomposite production for the market, addressing four key research themes:
- Growth Optimization: Efficient and energy-saving production.
- Material Properties Optimization: Improved thermal conductivity, fire resistance, and water repellency.
- Prototyping & Design: Development and demonstration of versatile prototypes.
- Feasibility & Upscaling: Efficient large-scale production to compete with traditional insulation materials.
The whitepaper provides a summary of these findings and refers to detailed factsheets for further information. Also, check out the movie to see the growth process of mycelium biocomposites and discover how these materials contribute to a sustainable future.
Cooperation
The Mythic project could not have been conducted without the partners from (inter)national industry, research and education. Industrial partners were Fairm, FRAAi Architects, Impershield coatings, Isolco, MOGU, Nýlausn, Recell and Verbruggen Mushrooms. Research and educational partners are Utrecht University, HZ University of Applied Sciences and Avans University of Applied Sciences (centres of expertise CARADT and MNEXT). The research was supported by branche-organisations Agrodome (for biobased building), Koninklijke CBM (interior construction and furniture industry) and NII (Dutch insulation industry). The research was coordinated by MNEXT. All partners originate from different sectors: agriculture to insulation manufacturers and architects.