Netherlands-based Loop Biotech says it is helping people enrich nature upon their death rather than increase their carbon footprint through its coffins and urns made from mycelium and upcycled hemp.

He’s not the only founder using mycelium to innovate industries in surprising ways — and investors are paying attention.

And, while food feels like the obvious sector for mushrooms to branch their mycelium into, fungal tech is also laying down roots across a range of other industries, from product packaging to high-end fashion.

…

To provide a more sustainable alternative, S.Lab is producing custom packaging for companies made from recultivated mycelium and hemp.

…

Maurizio Montalti is cofounder and “chief mycelium officer” of biomaterials company SQIM, an umbrella organisation that sits above two brands: Mogu, which makes materials for interior design and construction from mycelium and plant matter, and ephea, which makes a textile made from pure mycelium.

The latter has made it onto the catwalk with brands like Balenciaga, and Montalti says that the team is in conversations with several other luxury fashion labels.

This is an excerpt. Read the original post here