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{{Short description|American construction materials manufacturer}}
 
{{Infobox company|
| name = Ecovative Design
|
| logo name = File:Ecovative Design|design company logo.png
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
logo = File:Ecovative design company logo.png|
| foundation = {{start date and age|2007}}
type =Private |
| location foundation = [[Green Island, New York]] 2007 {{Coord|42.752685|-73.694229}}
| key_people = Eben Bayer, Gavin McIntyre |▼
location = [[Green Island, New York]] {{Coord|42.752685|-73.694229}}|
| industry = [[Biomaterials]]|▼
▲ key_people =Eben Bayer,Gavin McIntyre |
| products = MycoComposite, MycoFlex, Atlast
▲ industry =[[Biomaterials]]|
| revenue products = |
| num_employees = 45
revenue = |
| homepage num_employees = 70<ref>{{cite weburl|url=http://www.ecovativedesign.com}} {{url|http:/faqs/|title=FAQ|publisher=Ecovativemushroompackaging.com}} Design{{url|access-date=2015-01-12http://grow.bio}}</ref> {{url|http://atlastfood.co}}
homepage =[http://www.ecovativedesign.com/ Ecovative Design]
}}
 
'''Ecovative Design''' [[Limited liability company|LLC]] is a medium size, [[biomaterials]]materials company headquartered in [[Green Island, New York]], that provides sustainable alternatives to [[plastic]]s and [[polystyrene]] foams for [[packaging]], [[building material]]s and other applications by using [[mushroom]] technology.
 
==History==
Ecovative iswas developed from a university project of founders Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyre. In their Inventor's Studio course at [[Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute]] taught by Burt Swersey, Eben and Gavin developed and then patented a method of growing a mushroom-based insulation, initially called [[Greensulate]] before founding Ecovative Design in 2007.<ref>{{cite news|last=Pasko|first=Jessica|title=Mushrooms are eco-friendly insulation|url=httphttps://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/environment/2007-06-25-mushroom-insulation_N.htm|accessdate=24 July 2012|newspaper=USA Today|date=25 June 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.ecovativedesign.com/about-ecovative/history/|work=EcovativeDesign.com|publisher=Ecovative Design|accessdate=25 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505025210/http://www.ecovativedesign.com/about-ecovative/history/|archive-date=5 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2007 they were awarded $16,000 from the [[National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/mar2009/id20090323_482784.htm |title=NCIIA: Promoting Student Inventors |work=Bloomburg Businessweek |deadurlurl-status=yesdead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816001300/http://www.businessweek.com:80/innovate/content/mar2009/id20090323_482784.htm |archivedate=2015-08-16 |df= }}</ref>
 
Since 2008, when they were awarded $700,000 first place in the Picnic Green Challenge<ref>{{cite news|title=Amerikaan wint Picnic Green Challenge|url=http://www.parool.nl/parool/nl/30/ECONOMIE/article/detail/34196/2008/09/26/Amerikaan-wint-Picnic-Green-Challenge.dhtml|accessdate=24 July 2012|newspaper=Parool.nl|date=26 September 2008}}</ref> the company has developed and commercialized production of a protective packaging called EcoCradle<ref>{{cite web|last=Binder|first=Libuse|title=Ecovative Design: Making Magic Out of Mushrooms|url=http://earth911.com/news/2009/05/11/making-magic-out-of-mushrooms/|publisher=Earth 911|accessdate=24 July 2012|archive-date=22 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722092359/http://earth911.com/news/2009/05/11/making-magic-out-of-mushrooms/|url-status=dead}}</ref> that is now used by [[Dell]], [[Puma SE]], and [[Steelcase]]. In 2010 they were awarded $180,000 from the [[National Science Foundation]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/08/10/mushroom-based-packaging-98-percent-less-energy-styrofoam|title=Mushroom-Based Packaging Uses 98% Less Energy than Styrofoam|work=Green Biz|access-date=2012-07-26|archive-date=2018-11-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110010959/https://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/08/10/mushroom-based-packaging-98-percent-less-energy-styrofoam|url-status=dead}}</ref> and in 2011 the company received investment from [[3M]] New Ventures, The [[DOEN Foundation]], and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute allowing them to double their current staff of 25.<ref name=biz2011/>
 
In spring 2012, Ecovative Design opened a new production facility and announced a partnership with [[Sealed Air]] to expand production of the packaging materials.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sealed Air and Ecovative Complete Agreement to Accelerate Commercialization of New Sustainable Packaging Material|url=http://markets.on.nytimes.com/research/stocks/news/press_release.asp?docTag=201206200730BIZWIRE_USPRX____BW5149&feedID=600&press_symbol=250742|accessdate=26 July 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|date=20 June 2012|archive-date=30 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230184836/http://markets.on.nytimes.com/research/stocks/news/press_release.asp?docTag=201206200730BIZWIRE_USPRX____BW5149&feedID=600&press_symbol=250742|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Nearing|first=Brian|title=Ecovative keeps growing|url=http://www.timesunion.com/business/article/Ecovative-keeps-growing-3608741.php#photo-3026790|accessdate=25 July 2012|newspaper=Times Union|date=4 June 2012}}</ref> In 2014 their material was used in a brick form in 'Hy-Fi', a {{convert|40|ft|meters}} tower displayed in New York by the [[Museum of Modern Art]] and they started selling 'grow-it-yourself' kits.<ref name=diy/>
 
In November 2019, the company announced a $10M investment to support their new Mycelium Foundry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vegconomist.com/companies-and-portraits/ecovative-announces-10-million-in-capital-for-launch-of-launch-of-mycelium-foundry/|title=Ecovative Announces $10 Million in Capital for Launch of launch of Mycelium Foundry|work= vegconomist.com|date=25 November 2019}}</ref>
 
In February 2020, [[IKEA]] committed to using Ecovative technology for packaging, replacing polystyrene.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/ikea-commits-biodegradable-mushroom-packaging-220023480.html|title=IKEA Commits to Biodegradable Mushroom Packaging|work=Yahoo news|date=4 February 2020}}</ref>
 
In April 2021, Ecovative Design received a $60M investment to develop new applications for their technology and scale up manufacturing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.greenqueen.com.hk/ecovative-design-receives-us60m-to-develop-new-applications-for-its-mushroom-mycelia-products/|title=Ecovative Design Receives US$60M To Develop New Applications For Its Mushroom Mycelia Products|work=Green Queen|date=3 April 2021}}</ref>
 
==Mushroom materials==
 
[[File:Mushroom Insulation Installation.jpg|thumb|A [[thermal insulation]] panel, made of bio-material extracted from mushroom mycelium, ready for installation,]]
'Mushroom materials' are a novel class of [[renewable]] biomaterial grown from fungal [[mycelium]] and low-value non-food agricultural materials using a [[patent|patented process]] developed by Ecovative Design. After being left to grow in a [[Molding (process)|former]] in a dark place for about five days during which time the fungal [[mycelium|mycelial network]] binds the mixture, the resulting light robust [[Organic matter|organic]] [[compost]]able material can be used within many products, including [[building material]]s, [[thermal insulation]] panels and protective [[packaging]].<ref>{{ cite patent▼
 
▲'Mushroom materials' are a novel class of [[renewable]] biomaterial[[bio-material]] grown from fungal [[mycelium]] and low-value non-food agricultural materials using a [[patent|patented process]] developed by Ecovative Design. After being left to grow in a [[Molding (process)|former]] in a dark place for about five days during which time the fungal [[mycelium|mycelial network]] binds the mixture, the resulting light robust [[Organic matter|organic]] [[compost]]able material can be used within many products, including [[building material]]s, [[thermal insulation]] panels and protective [[packaging]].<ref>{{ cite patent
| country = US
| number = 8001719
Line 34 ⟶ 44:
| inventor = Eben Bayer, Gavin McIntyre, Burt Swersey
| assign1 = Ecovative Design, LLC
| class = 47/1.1
}}</ref>
 
The process uses an agricultural waste product such as cotton hulls, cleaning the material, heating it up, inoculating it to create growth of the fungal mycelium, growing the material for period of about five days, and finally heating it to make the fungus inert.<ref>{{cite video|title=Are mushrooms the new plastic?|time=5:45|url=https://www.ted.com/talks/eben_bayer_are_mushrooms_the_new_plastic.html|work=ted.com|publisher=TED Conferences LLC|accessdate=27 July 2012}}</ref>
During growth, the material's shape can be molded into various products including protective packaging, building products, apparel, car bumpers, or surfboards.
The [[environmental footprint]] of the products is minimized through the use of agricultural waste, reliance on natural and non-controlled growth environments, and home compostable final products.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mushroom-Based Packaging Uses 98% Less Energy than Styrofoam|url=http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/08/10/mushroom-based-packaging-98-percent-less-energy-styrofoam|accessdate=26 July 2012|newspaper=GreenBiz.com|date=20 August 2010|archive-date=10 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181110010959/https://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/08/10/mushroom-based-packaging-98-percent-less-energy-styrofoam|url-status=dead}}</ref> The founders' intention is that this technology should replace [[styrofoampolystyrene]] and other petroleum-based products that take many years to decompose, or never do so.<ref name=biz2011/>
 
===Protective packaging===
A renewable and compostable replacement for polystyrene packaging,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecovativedesign.com/products-and-applications/packaging/|title=Packaging|publisher=Ecovative Design|access-date=2015-01-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206050922/http://ecovativedesign.com/products-and-applications/packaging/|archive-date=2015-02-06|url-status=dead}}</ref> that is also referred to as 'EcoCradle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.packaging-gateway.com/projects/ecovatives-ecocradle-mushroom-packaging-plant-new-york/|title=Ecovative's EcoCradle® Mushroom™ Packaging Plant, New York, United States of America|work=Packaging gateway}}</ref>
 
===Structural biocomposites===
A natural and renewable replacement for [[engineered wood]], formed from compressed mushroom material and requiring no [[CNC milling|numerical control]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecovativedesign.com/products-and-applications/structural-biocomposites/|title=Structural biocomposites|publisher=Ecovate Design|access-date=2015-01-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105104326/http://www.ecovativedesign.com/products-and-applications/structural-biocomposites/|archive-date=2015-01-05|url-status=dead}}</ref> Architect David Benjamin of The Living, working with Evovative Design and [[Arup Group Limited|Arup]], built 'Hy-Fi', a temporary {{convert|40|ft|meters}} external exhibit at the [[Museum of Modern Art]] in [[New York City]] in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/yap/2014ny_living.html|title=Hy-Fi|publisher=Museum of Modern Art, New York}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arupconnect.com/2014/06/24/engineering-a-mushroom-tower/|title=Engineering a mushroom tower|publisher=Arup|date=2014-06-24|access-date=2015-01-05|archive-date=2016-05-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506215913/http://www.arupconnect.com/2014/06/24/engineering-a-mushroom-tower/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
===Thermal insulation===
An insulation product is under development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecovativedesign.com/products-and-applications/insulation/|title=Insulation|publisher=Ecovative Design|quote=Mushroom® Insulation is not yet commercially available. We're working hard to develop materials and production methods that are sustainable and code compliant.|access-date=2015-01-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105104355/http://www.ecovativedesign.com/products-and-applications/insulation/|archive-date=2015-01-05|url-status=dead}}</ref> Trials of 'Greensulate', a former product,<ref name=popsci>{{cite web |author=Jeremy Hsu |title=Invention Awards: Eco-Friendly Insulation Made From Mushrooms |date=May 26, 2009 |url=http://www.popsci.com/environment/article/2009-05/green-styrofoam|work=Popular science}}</ref> were conducted at a Vermont school gym in May 2009.<ref name=popsci/> The product was later dropped withwhen the company switched focus to the manufacture of protective packaging.
 
===Other uses===
[[File:Material by Ecovative.jpg|thumb|A mushroom figurine grown by Ecovative stands against a material panel.]]
Ecovative offer a '[https://shop.ecovativedesign.com/collections/growGrow-it-yourself Grow-It-Yourself]' kit allowing people to create mushroom materials themselves, used to create products including lamp shades and planter pots.<ref name=diy>{{cite webmagazine|url=https://www.wired.com/2014/12/diy-kit-lets-make-designs-mushrooms/|title=DIY Kit Lets You Make Designs Out of Mushrooms|workmagazine=Wired|last1=Stinson |first1=Liz }}</ref>
 
Working with the [[University of Aachen]], Dutch designer Eric Klarenbeek’sKlarenbeek used [[3D printing]] technology to gown a chair without using plastic, metal or wood.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://inhabitat.com/3d-printed-mycelium-chair-sprouts-living-mushrooms/|title=3D-Printed Mycelium Chair Sprouts Living Mushrooms!|date=4 October 2014 }}</ref>
 
==Media==
''[[Popular Science]]'' featured the composite insulation in its 2009 Invention Awards.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hsu|first=Jeremy|title=Green Styrofoam: An Eco-Friendly Insulation Made From Mushrooms|url=http://www.popsci.com/environment/article/2009-05/green-styrofoam|accessdate=27 July 2012|newspaper=Popular Science|date=June 2009}}</ref> SeasonA 6,season Episodesix 8 (25:20)episode of ''[[CSI: New York]]'', also featured the insulation as lab technicians tested the materials' flame resistant properties after finding particles on a victim's clothing.<ref>{{cite web|title=It's Greensulate - CSI-NY goes high tech; features Ecovative Design!|url=http://nciia.org/node/1021|publisher=NCIIA|accessdate=27 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602001141/http://nciia.org/node/1021|archive-date=2 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Packaging World]]'' magazine featured Ecovative on its July 2011 cover, suggesting that the company is poised to "be a game changer in various industries."<ref>{{cite news|last=Reynolds|first=Pat|title=Are mushrooms the future of protective packaging?|accessdate=27 July 2012|newspaper=Packaging World|date=July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=EcoCradle Mushroom Packaging|url=http://digital.turn-page.com/i/35703|accessdate=22 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190045/http://digital.turn-page.com/i/35703|archive-date=29 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The [[World Economic Forum]] also recognized Ecovative as a Technology Pioneer in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Clean Tech|url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_TP_Brochure_2011.pdf|work=Empowering People and Transforming Society: The World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers 2011|publisher=World Economic Forum|accessdate=25 July 2012|pages=12|format=PDF}}</ref> Additionally, the founders were featured on the PBS show, ''[[Biz Kid$]]'', in episode 209, "The Green Economy & You." <ref>{{cite web|title=Biz Kid$|url=https://www.dcmp.org/guides/TID7068.pdf}}</ref>
 
==Support==
 
The development of the material and processes has been supported by the Picnic Green Challenge, the [[Environmental Protection Agency]], [[National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance]] (NCIIA), [[ASME]], the [[National Science Foundation]], [[NYSERDA]], [[3M]] New Ventures, The DOEN Foundation, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a license agreement with Sealed Air.<ref name=biz2011>{{cite news|last=Allen|first=Pam|title=Ecovative's growth plans assured through equity investment assures|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/print-edition/2011/05/27/ecovatives-growth-plans-assured.html?page=all|accessdate=26 July 2012|newspaper=The Business Review|date=27 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ecovative Design: Greensulate, Growing America's green economy with research and innovation|date=26 March 2015 |url=http://www.epa.gov/ncer/publications/scienceaction/ncse-greensulate.pdf|publisher=US Environment Protection Agency}}</ref>
In addition to an array of awards, Ecovative's materials have been extensively highlighted in [[Material ConneXion]] libraries around the world.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dent|first=Andrew|title=A library of new materials: Exotic, but applicable|url=httphttps://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2012/07/library-new-materials|publisher=The Economist|accessdate=24 July 2012|date=11 July 2012}}</ref>
 
==References==
{{reflist}}
 
==External links==
 
* [https://www.ecovative.com Ecovative's homepage]
 
[[Category:Biomaterials]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Companies based in Albany County, New York]]
 
==See also==
* [[Mycobond]]
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