Ecovatives

Ecovative is a company that develops and manufactures sustainable materials using mycelium, the root structure of fungi. Founded in 2007, the company aims to replace petroleum-based plastics and other environmentally harmful materials with biodegradable and compostable alternatives. Their core technology involves growing mycelium on agricultural byproducts such as hemp hurd or corn stalks. This process requires minimal energy and water, and the resulting material is lightweight, fire-resistant, and insulating.

Ecovative's products serve a variety of applications. Their primary offering is MycoComposite, a material used for protective packaging, often as a sustainable alternative to Styrofoam. This packaging is designed to be easily composted at home. The company also produces MycoBoard, a particleboard-like material for furniture and construction, and MycoFlex, a flexible foam for applications like upholstery. Ecovative's approach is rooted in a circular economy model, utilizing waste streams to create valuable, eco-friendly products that can return to the earth at the end of their life cycle. Their work has been recognized for its innovation in sustainable materials science and its potential to significantly reduce industrial waste and carbon emissions.