Disruptive Innovation
2025 AWARD COMMENDATION
Globally, 15 tonnes of expanded polystyrene are produced every minute. Most of it ends up in landfill and takes 500 years to degrade.
Mushroom Material has developed an alternative made from mycelium and agricultural waste. The mycelium acts as a natural adhesive, binding waste materials together to create something waterproof, flame-retardant and compostable. It provides the same protective, thermal and acoustic properties as polystyrene.
The breakthrough was discovering how to turn the material into pellets. This meant existing plastic manufacturing equipment could be used without any changes. Customers could simply swap out plastic pellets for mushroom-based ones.
The result performs as well as polystyrene and is 50% lighter and cheaper than cardboard. For packaging, it offers businesses a way to be more sustainable without sacrificing performance or adding cost.
The judges said: "Mushroom Material has created an elegant, compostable alternative to polystyrene that works with existing packaging machinery - making the switch from plastic easy and affordable. Its bio-based pellets are a practical, compostable, scalable solution to plastic pollution. It’s a clever innovation that removes barriers to circular packaging".