Selecting Mycelium Producing Strains for Packaging Bio-Foam Production and Canadian Market Potential for Big-Size Commodities

Manufacture companies use foam materials made of polystyrene to protect the goods during storage and shipping. However, polystyrene is plastic-based and made using crude oil, which is terrible for the environment. Used polystyrene foams are challenging to eliminate and occupy space in landfills for a very long period. This study investigates the manufacture of bio-composite foam packaging materials, having the same protecting properties as polystyrene, with the advantage of being naturally produced by growing particular mushroom mycelium in a molded container filled with a waste material (substrate) such as hemp or sawdust. The product is lightweight, biodegradable, and eco-friendly. It can be used as a foam packaging material in Canada to protect items such as electronics and electrical equipment, cosmetics products, glass, and pharmaceutical equipment. After being used, they can be composted, creating a circular economy.

Faculty Supervisor:

Qiuyan Yuan;Georg Hausner

Student:

Partner:

North Forge

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education; Management of companies and enterprises; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Manitoba

Program: