The Brussels cooperative PermaFungi is building a new production line to produce organic packaging from residual flows from their oyster mushroom cultivation. At a new production site in the municipality of Vorst, the network of fungal threads, a residual flow from mushroom cultivation, will be converted into biodegradable packaging and insulation material.
PermaFungi, already known for selling oyster mushrooms grown on recycled coffee grounds, is further expanding its circular business model. The fungal threads, also known as mycelium, form the basis for these new ecological products. Recent research shows that mycelium can be converted into a material that can replace plastic, which offers significant environmental benefits. For example, the myco material produces up to ten times less CO2 and uses approximately eight times less energy compared to traditional polystyrene.
PermaFungi: “The challenge is twofold. On the one hand, it is about incorporating the production process of this new material into a circular project and, on the other hand, creating products with high added value, alternatives to plastic. The potential applications are numerous: in design, insulation or even packaging”.
With an investment of 2,5 million euros, of which 2 million euros comes from a European subsidy, the new PermaFungi site is equipped with a 1.000 square meter growing space and the offices will also be located there. By 2025, PermaFungi wants to become the European leader in the production of mycomaterials.
Reuse of coffee grounds
Since 2013, the company has been committed to recycling coffee grounds. In the cellars of Tour & Taxis in Brussels, the coffee grounds are used as a breeding ground for oyster mushrooms. The project combines the fight against urban waste with the provision of sustainable employment to young people in Brussels. PermaFungi produces one ton of fresh oyster mushrooms and ten tons of natural fertilizer every month by recycling five tons of coffee grounds. These products are collected by bike.
Source: groentenieuws.nl / PermaFungi
