Mycelium Packaging: A Promising Sustainable Solution for the E-Commerce Industry
Highly successful e-commerce companies such as Amazon, eBay, and Etsy usually face criticism due to their extensive carbon footprint. Product packaging is an essential part of online shopping, and its environmental impact is one of the most concerning areas. Companies are witnessing massive consumer demand to reduce waste and unnecessary packaging and build a practice of using sustainable packaging materials alternatives such as mycelium packaging.
Mycelium is a root-like structure of a fungus consisting of a mass of thread-like branches. Mycelia have masses known as Shiro; these fungal colonies are situated underneath or on the soil surface. It has a solid fibrous structure that can be utilized to produce various sustainable materials such as clothing, food, construction, and packaging. It can be used to prepare materials such as leather and edible plant-based steak and as an alternative to plastics.
Therefore, in the e-commerce industry, the fast-growing mycelium can provide a great alternative to Styrofoam, which is being slowly banned in most countries due to its harmful environmental effects. Mycelium is biodegradable, sustainable, and renewable, which means mycelium production is inexpensive and will be highly adopted in the future.
Mycelia can be molded into different shapes; hence, the mycelium foam base can be used extensively in the packaging industry. Factors such as the rising customer preference for eco-friendly packaging and the growing concern over the environment are expected to boost the use of mycelium packaging in the e-commerce industry in the future.
According to the BIS research market 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% during the forecast period 2021-2026 and reach $3.84 billion by 2026.?
Why is mycelium a promising solution?
Strong and safe packaging is an essential component in the e-commerce business as the delivery of delicate items over a long distance is required. The foams produced by the mycelium material are strong, easily shaped, lightweight, and biodegradable. They do not have the same lifespan as Styrofoam or polystyrene foam, which is good for the environment and serves its purpose.
Moreover, mycelium foams are proven stronger than polystyrene foam or polyurethane products, even though they may be perceived as a biological material. It is also water-resistant and flame resistant, which are beneficial properties for applications such as packaging and clothing.
Strength and lightweight are desirable properties for its use in the delivery packaging, whether for single-use purposes or longer-term usage.
Advantages of Mycelium Packaging
·??????Eco-friendly: The mycelium material is 100% biodegradable and recyclable. It is produced by mixing the mycelium structures with agricultural waste such as hemp, wood chips, and psyllium husks. Hence, mycelium is completely organic and environmentally friendly from the production process to the product. ?
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·??????Versatile raw material: Mycelium is used for various purposes such as packaging, clothing, and many more. The main reason for such varied applications is that mycelium can easily be molded into different shapes and sizes. It makes an efficient use for packaging all kinds of products such as beauty products and big furniture. Also, growing exactly the right amount of material needed for any product is advantageous in eliminating waste and improving efficiency.?
·??????Consumer preference: Mycelium has provided an efficient, sustainable solution for aware and concerned customers. It is also cost-effective and equally safe as packaging material or as a base for other products. This makes it preferential for anybody seeking compostable or biodegradable products.?
·??????Abundant, sustainable, and inexpensive: The creation of mycelium foam is possible anywhere in the world in abundant quantity as the fungus can be easily grown. Mycelium hyphae are also renewable and sufficiently available. The entire production of mycelium foam is inexpensive and cost-competitive with polystyrene foam.
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Challenges in Commercializing Mycelium
The global mycelium market is expected to flourish immensely in the coming years, but it is facing certain challenges. Mycelium products are required to gain a customer base and generate enough revenue. Most mycelium-based products are either under the research and development stage or the prototype stage. Start-ups and research centers are considering the benefits of mycelium to develop products that can be accepted by the public when commercialized or launched in the market. However, the global mycelium market faces commercialization challenges even after being in the limelight in industries for many years.
People are habituated to using plastics and Styrofoam as packaging solutions which pose a huge challenge in the popularization of mycelium packaging. Thus, selecting the right target group and market becomes a challenge for manufacturers.
Also, since mycelium is a bio-based resource, its usage on an industrial scale comes with many regulations and restrictions. Governments across some countries, such as the U.S., have mandated using standard strains and cultures for manufacturing mycelium products. European administration has restricted the usage and consumption of certain mushroom varieties across the countries in the region. Accounting to the restrictions on mycelium, many start-ups and companies cannot patent and commercialize their products.
Conclusion
Mycelium material has various applications and significant advantages over non-biodegradable materials. In addition, due to its low production cost and natural abundance, it is gaining popularity and grabbing the attention of big corporate giants in the e-commerce and packaging industry.
For instance, companies such as Dell and IKEA have already started using mycelium-based packaging materials for their products. Moreover, cosmetic companies also use mycelium-based packaging material due to its strength and leakproof properties. Therefore, the customizable properties of mycelium make it a go-to option for industries globally.
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