Manufacture of Mycelium Construction Products from Waste Material
Using organic waste as a nutrient source to grow fungal mycelium for use as insulation blocks for the construction industry.
Challenge
Construction has a high carbon footprint. Insulation boards are often made from non-sustainable sources. NZC2030 proposed that Mycelia grown on organic waste may be useful as an insulator.
Solution
“There was extremely good support from IBiolC with required project adaptability during the pandemic. The research managed by UWS also progressed well under trying circumstances with a variety of lockdown restrictions.”
Working together on this project, NZC2030 provided access to various waste streams and UWS grew three species of higher fungi on a variety of organic waste streams. One species, Pleurotus pulmonarius, was identified as the best option for producing insulation boards. A test batch was grown and then pressed and dried into insulation boards, which were then tested for strength, flexibility, fire resistance and electrical resistance.
Outcome
The boards showed good fire and electrical resistance that met market standards, but needed improvements in strength and flexibility, which made them not commercially viable.
Figure 1. Block composed of Pleurotus pulmonarius spawn and sawdust (50%:50%) to make 250 g total weight. The weight after 7 days of drying at 65°C yielded a lightweight good texture block as shown in the picture.