Magical Mushroom Company
UK-based manufacturer producing compostable packaging grown from mycelium and agricultural waste as a direct replacement for polystyrene foam. Their process combines hemp or wood waste with fungal mycelium to create custom-molded protective packaging that decomposes in home compost within weeks. The material provides comparable shock absorption and thermal insulation to expanded polystyrene while being completely biodegradable. Cosmetics brands, electronics companies, and furniture makers use their packaging for shipping fragile products sustainably. The company operates production facilities in the UK with technology licensed for international manufacturing partnerships.
More Biomaterials
Materiom
Open-source library of biomaterial recipes. The platform provides step-by-step instructions for creating materials from biological ingredients like agar, mycelium, and agricultural waste. Recipes are community-contributed and scientifically documented with material property data for strength, flexibility, and biodegradability. Designers and researchers use it as a starting point for developing custom biomaterials for packaging, textiles, and product applications. The open-source model encourages experimentation and knowledge sharing across the biomaterials community.
Ecovative Design
Mycelium-based packaging and material solutions. The company grows packaging, insulation, and material alternatives using mycelium that binds agricultural waste into strong, compostable forms. Its Forager platform enables other companies to license the mycelium growth technology for developing their own mushroom-based products. Ecovative's MycoFlex foam provides a biodegradable alternative to synthetic foams for packaging, cushioning, and insulation applications. The technology has been adopted by major brands including IKEA and Dell for sustainable packaging solutions.
Bolt Threads
Bioengineered silk and mycelium leather materials. The company developed Mylo, a mycelium-based leather alternative used by luxury brands including Stella McCartney, Adidas, and Kering. Its Microsilk technology engineers proteins inspired by spider silk into fibers for textile and cosmetic applications. Bolt Threads focuses on creating materials that match the performance of conventional options while dramatically reducing environmental impact. The company represents a leading example of biotechnology applied to material science for the fashion and design industries.
Modern Synthesis
Microbial textile cultivation technology. The company grows textile materials using engineered bacteria that produce nanocellulose fibers in controlled fermentation processes. Its microbial weaving technology creates structured materials without the agricultural land, water, and chemical inputs of conventional textile production. The resulting biocomposite materials offer tunable properties for strength, flexibility, and biodegradability based on production parameters. Modern Synthesis targets fashion and sportswear brands seeking next-generation sustainable textile alternatives.
MOGU
Italian mycelium-based material company. The Italian company produces acoustic panels, flooring, and interior products from mycelium combined with textile and agricultural waste streams. Its products meet commercial building standards for acoustic performance, fire resistance, and durability while being fully biodegradable at end of life. MOGU's manufacturing process uses low energy inputs compared to conventional building materials, with carbon stored in the mycelium matrix. The company has supplied products to commercial interiors, hospitality, and retail environments across Europe.
Algix
Algae-based bioplastic materials. The company converts algae biomass into pellets that replace petroleum-based plastics in manufacturing processes like injection molding and extrusion. Its Solaplast material blends algae with recycled polypropylene to create a partially bio-based plastic suitable for consumer products. Algix sources algae from water treatment facilities where blooms are an environmental problem, turning waste into manufacturing feedstock. The technology addresses both plastic pollution and water quality issues through its dual-purpose supply chain.