Growpack: mycelium-directed assembly for sustainable packaging
GrowPack utilizes mycelium to carry functional additives in packaging materials, offering biodegradable solutions with enhanced barrier and strength properties. Ideal for paper-based products, it supports both submerged and solid fermentation processes.
Overview
GrowPack is an innovative approach that leverages the natural growth capabilities of mycelium to create sustainable packaging materials. By using mycelium as a carrier for functional additives, this technology minimizes the amount of additive needed while maintaining functional performance. The resulting hybrid composites are inherently biodegradable, and if non-biodegradable additives are used, they can be recovered through the biodegradation of the mycelium. This solution is adaptable to both submerged and solid fermentation processes, making it suitable for standalone packaging materials or as coated barriers on paper and board products.
Technical specifications
GrowPack combines mycelium with a variety of functional additives such as starch, AKD, clay, minerals, biopolyesters, and lignocellulose to create hybrid materials. These materials are designed to enhance barrier properties and wet resistance in paper-based products. The technology employs filamentous fungi grown in specific conditions to form a composite material through pulp molding and papermaking techniques. This approach also considers the recyclability of materials, ensuring they are compatible with conventional paper recycling processes.
Technology readiness level
GrowPack is currently at Technology Readiness Level 3, indicating that it is in the early stages of development with experimental proof of concept underway. Future validation plans include a comprehensive study over two years to optimize the fermentation processes and evaluate different additives and conditions.
About Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL)
EPFL is a federal institute of technology and public research university in Lausanne, noted for a STEM focus and international outlook. Industry engages through the EPFL Innovation Park, which co-locates startups and corporate R&D, and through shared prototyping, cleanroom, and testing facilities on campus. A coordinated corporate engagement office offers streamlined access to faculty, sponsored research, internships, and talent across EPFL’s western Switzerland sites. Research is supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation, Innosuisse, and European programs, alongside strategic industry partnerships. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, and startup formation, with incubation and scale-up support at the innovation park.
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