ECOVATIVE
Growing biodegradable materials for a sustainable future
Ecovative uses mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, to grow biodegradable materials intended to replace harmful plastics and other synthetic materials in everyday product packaging. The company’s leaders worked with UB’s Center of Excellence in Materials Informatics (CMI) to move the technology forward.
How Ecovative collaborates with UB
Accelerates R&D
Recruits Talent
Collaborates with Experts
Uses High-Tech Equipment
Obtains Funding
CHALLENGE & OPPORTUNITY
Plastic waste overruns the oceans
Since plastic was introduced in the 1950s, over nine billion tons of plastic have been produced. More than 91% of waste from producing these synthetic polymers is not recycled, and eight million metric tons of post-consumer plastic winds up in our oceans every year. If plastic production isn’t curbed, plastic pollution will outweigh fish pound for pound by 2050. The critical need to develop bio-based and earth-friendly materials has never been greater.
SOLUTION & OUTCOME
Planet-friendly packaging grows to fit need
Ecovative trains mushrooms’ thread-like roots to grow on pre-formed substrates fed with agricultural crop waste to create advanced materials that will biodegrade over time. The company’s biofabrication process allows it to control the geometry, density, size and shape of the complex material for applications that not only include planet-friendly packaging, but also skincare, apparel, plant-based meat and leather-like textiles. The company’s early advancements earned the attention of worldwide media and millions in investment capital.
UB SUPPORT
R&D expertise leads to expansion
UB lent advanced manufacturing expertise, big data analytics and high-tech facilities and equipment to help Ecovative gain a better understanding of their raw material characteristics, fine-tune product outputs, speed the product to market and identify new market opportunities.
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