INNOVATE UK

BIG NEWS FOR MMC!

We are thrilled to announce that Magical Mushroom Company® has been awarded a £500,000 Innovate UK SMART Grant to accelerate the replacement of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) in white goods packaging.

This project will introduce cutting-edge manufacturing processes, including automated vibration filling and vision based quality control systems.

THE PROBLEM

The UK faces a significant challenge with EPS - a lightweight, cushioning material that’s widely used but non-biodegradable, persisting in the environment for centuries.

Despite measures like the upcoming Plastic Packaging Tax (effective April 2025), fewer than 2% of EPS products are currently recycled in the UK due to high costs and limited infrastructure. This means that around 98% of EPS waste ends up in landfill or incineration, contributing to plastic pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

THE SOLUTION

At MMC, we’re tackling this problem head-on with our Mushroom® Packaging, made from mycelium- the root structure of fungi- combined with UK-sourced agricultural waste. It’s 100% biodegradable, home-compostable within 45 days, and delivers the same protective performance as EPS, without any petrochemical inputs.

With support from Innovate UK, these innovations will help us produce high volumes of consistent, cost-effective packaging, making it easier for manufacturers and retailers to switch to sustainable alternatives.

We will also be collaborating with major White Goods Manufacturers to be announced soon, in order to validate the material’s performance through large-scale trials. This is a major step toward proving that sustainable packaging isn’t just possible-it’s scalable, affordable, and ready to replace EPS for good.