Feedstock +
We combine agricultural by-product from farms local to our facilities, and we combine it with mycelium.
THE SCIENCE
AGRICULTURAL WASTE +
MYCELIUM +
DESIGN =
MUSHROOM®
PACKAGING
The need to cut the use of plastic and move towards carbon neutrality is understood and responsible businesses around the world are eager to do their part. Not just because it’s the right thing to do but, because, it also makes financial sense. It’s one thing to offer a possible alternative to polymer-based plastic. It’s another to deliver it at scale without a hit to the bottom line.
The Magical Mushroom Company® is the alternative. We offer a bespoke design service, industry leading technical performance, and comparable pricing, without the polluting legacy of polymers. Our clients call it the ultimate ‘no-brainer’ switch. With our state-of-the-art manufacturing process, we do this at scale to meet the packaging needs of the world’s biggest enterprises. Whilst we are focussed on manufacturing packaging solutions in industrial volumes, we also do special projects in horticulture, interior design and fashion. We’ve even made beehives and funeral urns.
How it works
UNDERSTANDING OUR MATERIAL
Mushrooms are the fruit of a giant underground “tree”. The tree is Mycelium, which grows exponentially under the correct conditions providing nutrients to forest fauna in exchange for sugars. Mycelium itself is made of Chitin, a natural glue that is water resistant and flame retardant.
To make Mushroom® Packaging we mix Mycelium, which has a natural polymer Chitin with agricultural by-products. We use the woody core of Hemp in 98% of our products. Hemp has the added benefit of locking up carbon dioxide at the rate of about 15 tonnes per hectare. Hemp isn’t the only answer though – we can work with a wide variety of natural by-products from wheat to sawdust.
Mycelium =
The mycelium binds the agricultural waste together, so it can be baked into durable protective packaging.
Packaging
After 6 days growing and kiln drying, the end product is ready for use.
Welcome to Chitin, Natures Glue
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are the fruiting body of mycelium and nature’s recycling system. They grow on their food source without external energy inputs.
MYCELIUM
Mycelium is a root like structure that forms the vegetative tissue of mushrooms. It grows exponentially with the correct nutrition and environmental conditions.
CHITIN
Chitin is a natural glue-like polymer found in mycelium. It is naturally water and flame resistant.
end of life
Our Packaging is a truly magical material.
Mushroom® Packaging is Biodigestable meaning it can be broken down by bacteria in the absence of oxygen. In fact, in large scale industrial anaerobic digestion trials, Mushroom® Packaging proved to be both effective and beneficial in drying out wet food matter, typically found in kerbside food collections.
Also at the end of its life, our Mushroom® Packaging is Biodegradable at home. When broken up into small pieces by hand, it will return to the soil in around 45 days, keeping all its carbon safely locked away and also adding nitrates to the earth.
This process can occur in your compost heap, garden or even in a plant pot! And we are working on rolling out Magical Mushroom Company ® re-cycling bins, allowing us to collect our packaging after use supplying it to anaerobic digestion plants for the generation of clean energy.
END OF LIFE Options
Break up into small pieces with your hands.
Biodegradable in your garden, plant pot or green waste.
Place in food waste collection bin for anaerobic digestion.
Use your used packaging for storage or a plant pot.
