Construction and the related materials and technology are harmful both to the environment and the profitability of companies employing them. For example, producing one ton of cement generates 900kg of carbon dioxide, accounting for about 88% of the carbon emission of concrete, itself roughly 180kg of CO2 per ton of concrete. The dust produced by the cement and concrete industries also produces localized damage to the ozone layer, and further environmental pollution issues. The weight and transport requirements of concrete and other building materials such as gypsum board (which we seek to replace completely), further contribute to embodied energy in the process.
A measure of the energy consumed with the production of a building, from mining the gypsum and other materials for plasterboard and concrete production etc., to the transport and installation of materials (e.g. concrete pours, welding, etc.). Some measures, e.g. Cradle-to-Grave Embodied Energy also accounts for demolition costs. Though annual energy use and carbon emissions by homes and other buildings has reduced, initial embodied energy has not kept up (mining, processing, transport, and use in construction). This is shown in a study by Lund University, which found that the initial embodied energy of a low-energy building was as much as 40% of the energy the building would consume over its 50-year lifespan.
Mycotaff is a recyclable, biodegradable biomaterial produced from and bound together with mycelia mushroom material. The natural components that make up the material combine to provide high performance characteristics that make it ideal for building infrastructure, insulation, packaging and various other applications. It boasts innovative material features, environmental benefits and novel waste utilisation techniques.
There are just four critical steps towards being able to secure market entry for Mycotaff. These are:
1) Certify the material to European standards for:
a. Structural building materials.
b. Fire safety.
c. Chemical emissions.
d. CE Marking.
2) Run pilot production in-house in order to design a scale-up process for future contract manufacturers.
3) Carry out a pilot trial in association with ETH Zurich.
4) Begin large-scale production with manufacturing contractors.
