US firm uses plant waste to make green packaging
Ecovative will be one of the exhibitors at the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture next month in Abu Dhabi, which will focus on how to feed growing populations from a limited arable area.
Ecovative is the 2013 winner of the Buckminster Fuller Challenge which recognises design science approaches to radically advance human well-being and the health of ecosystems. The company uses mycelium (the vegetative growth stage of fungi, an organism akin to a living polymer, according to Ecovative), together with agricultural wastes like stalks and seed husks.
In 2012, Ecovative used over 450 tonnes of maize stalks from New York State farms, helping farmers to become more environment-friendly.
Agricultural raw materials are converted into protective packaging used to ship everything from electronics to furniture. These 100% home-compostable, cost and performance competitive composites can replace plastic foams currently used in products such as protective packaging, automotive components, building and construction materials, shoes, and floral foam, among other applications.
Ecovative has also developed a high-performing, cost-competitive and lighter weight engineered wood replacement without the need for expensive and toxic glues used in wood engineering.
Working closely with Sealed Air, a global leader in food safety and security, facility hygiene and product protection. Ecovative reports growth in its packaging business in North America, and intends to launch additional protective packaging facilities in Europe and Asia.
Ecovative — named a tech pioneer at the 2011 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland — announced last November it has raised over $14m in equity financing.
