Ecovative Design: Difference between revisions

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| 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}}

'''Ecovative Design''' [[Limited liability company|LLC]] is a [[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.

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=https://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/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/>

[[File:Mushroom Insulation Installation.jpg|thumb|A [[thermal insulation]] panel, made of bio-material extracted from mushroom mycelium, ready for installation,]]

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 [[polystyrene]] and other petroleum-based products that take many years to decompose, or never do so.<ref name=biz2011/>

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>

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>

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 when the company switched focus to the manufacture of protective packaging.

Ecovative offer a 'Grow-it-yourself' kit allowing people to create mushroom materials themselves, used to create products including lamp shades.<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>

''[[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>

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>