Mushroom Architecture: Mycelium-Based Construction Materials Soon to Overshadow Traditional Concretes

01 Feb 2023

In the pursuit of bringing environment-friendly building materials and circulating a green economy, scientists are experimenting with mushrooms (or mycelium) to reduce carbon emissions in the construction industry significantly. 

Surprisingly, mycelium has already gained significant attention in the packaging industry. By replacing polystyrene foam and other polymer and plastic packaging, mycelium has become a cost-competitive material that is equally effective as any other packaging material. 

Soon, this strong fiber-structure fungus will set to raise the bar high in the building and construction industry too. 

Let’s read the complete story. 

What is the origin of the idea of mycelium-based building materials? 

The first query that clicks our mind is how did the idea of developing mycelium as a construction material developed. 

A London-based company, Biohm, is the mastermind behind the development of mycelium-based construction materials. It uses mycelium to create materials for insulation, soundproofing and fireproofing for the construction industry. 

Biohm's innovative technology has been developed to produce sustainable and biodegradable building materials from agricultural waste and other natural materials. Its mission is to produce low-carbon footprint materials that can help to reduce the environmental impact of the construction industry. 

The company makes mycelium-based building materials through a process called myco-composite manufacturing. This process involves mixing together mycelium with agricultural waste materials such as straw, sawdust, or hemp. The mixture is then placed into molds for several days. 

During this time, the mycelium consumes the agricultural waste and binds with it to form a strong, solid material. Once the material has fully grown and hardened, it is removed from the mold and can be used as a building material.


Will mycelium completely replace bricks and cement as construction materials? 

The next question that arises is if traditional concrete materials like bricks, cement, sand, etc., will no longer be required in construction. 

Fungus grows in abundance and has varied applications; it can serve as a regenerative replacement for building materials. Mycelium has been researched for use in building materials as it is a renewable resource and can be grown quickly. However, it is not yet clear if mycelium will fully replace bricks and cement as traditional building materials. 

Mycelium has been used to create insulation, soundproofing, and lightweight building blocks, but its strength and durability compared to traditional materials have yet to be fully determined. Additionally, more research and development are needed to make mycelium-based building materials widely available and cost-effective. 

Will such eco-friendly building materials be able to generate an economy? 

Eventually, construction and building materials play a vital role in the gross domestic product (GDP) of any country and are a great source of economic generation. While going eco-friendly, we can’t ignore this fact. 

Mycelium-based building materials can be used as a way to repurpose agricultural waste and other natural materials, which can, in turn, create new economic opportunities for farmers and other rural communities.

The use of mycelium-based building materials has the potential to create a new economy and new job opportunities. The development and production of mycelium-based building materials require expertise in various fields, such as agriculture, mycology, material science, and construction industry.

According to the BIS Research report, the global mycelium market was estimated to be at $2.48 billion in 2020, which is expected to grow with a CAGR of 7.7% and reach $3.84 billion by 2026. 


Additionally, as the demand for sustainable and eco-friendly building materials increases, the market for mycelium-based building materials is expected to grow. This could lead to the creation of new businesses and job opportunities in the manufacturing and construction industries. 

Conclusion

Mycelium-based building materials have the potential to make a significant contribution to the green environment and green economy. They are energy-efficient and can improve the insulation of buildings, which can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save on energy costs. Additionally, they are fire-resistant and can be used to replace traditional fireproofing materials. Considering their advantages, mycelium-based building materials require more research and development to be widely adopted and generate a significant economy, as mycelium is a great alternative to traditional construction materials. 

Interested to know more about the developing technologies in your industry vertical? Get the latest market studies and insights from BIS Research. Connect with us at [email protected] to learn and understand more. 

 
 

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