SBIR-STTR Award

Soilless growth mediums widely used throughout the horticultural industry are either synthetic in origin, or require synthetic chemicals and energy-intensive processing. Ecovative’s biomaterial consists of a self-assembling moldable mass of fungal mycelium, which acts as a biological resin that achieves cohesion to domestic agricultural lignocellulosic waste for the growth of a soilless growth medium. Fungal soilless growth medium has three distinct competitive advantages over the current state of the art (SOTA): it is low cost, uses waste streams as its primary inputs, and is completely biodegradable after use. The proposed research will pursue objectives dedicated to examining the material and chemical characteristics of the medium to best support seed germination and growth. The final objective will determine the biodegradability of the biocomposite. All samples will be tested against three industry standard products, via American standards for materials properties. The composites will be tested in real-world scenarios, supporting the growth of three of the most popular seed varieties in greenhouse/hydroponic conditions. Ecovative biologists will monitor and observe every step of the growth and treatment process. The goal of developing the absorbent mycological composite technology is to provide a new technology that: enhances food production by developing an improved and sustainable production system, and provides a green alternative to the current synthetic materials on the market. This biotechnology gives American agriculture a value-add product for their waste streams, it reduces their dependence on foreign oil, and provides the industry with a biotechnology product that they can export to support agriculture the world over, continuing to give the sector a positive trade balance in the US economy. Ecovative’s biomaterial is experiencing market pull from international agricultural firms, which could further exports of US agricultural byproducts that are transformed in this revolutionary manufacturing process. Pending successful results, the Phase I development will directly inform the material samples supplied to a leader in the agricultural industry for pilot trials. This project will be deemed successful if it provides a biotechnology that is low-cost, high-performance, and compostable.

Ecovative Design uses grown mycelium structures to bind agricultural and wood byproducts into inherently nontoxic products containing no added urea formaldehyde or flame-retardant chemicals. This research program focuses on maturing mycelium technology for use in the production of large scale board products, from low density (LD) particle board to acoustic panels and thermal insulation. The Phase I work resulted in the successful build out and demonstration of a new manufacturing process called the Bulk Bin Reactor (BBR) and production of panel sizes previously unachievable. Additionally, it was discovered that grinding and hot pressing are not required, and as grown material can outperform the internal bond of LD particle board. Phase II work will introduce new substrates to the BBR system to improve material properties. Targets are enhanced insulation, acoustic attenuation, and flame resistance. Objective I will produce hemp-based panels – known from small scale work to be high performing in the target attributes. Objective II will screen lower density, higher performance substrates. A commercialization plan is also laid out to take the results of the Phase II research and begin field testing the resulting panel products, and to prepare technical and financial information to begin partnerships with potential licensee manufacturers in industry sectors.