Sealed Air Europe has become the exclusive licensee for the production, sales and distribution in Europe of materials science company Ecovative’s Mushroom Packaging.
When Sealed Air introduced its Restore Mushroom Packaging brand in the US in October 2012, it was the first commercial use of the technology developed by Ecovative Design.
“Restore Mushroom Packaging is a new technology for rapidly renewable and environmentally responsible packaging materials made from agricultural byproducts and mycelium, or mushroom roots,” Sealed Air says.
“It is a unique, completely biodegradable packaging solution and has already attracted major demand on the continent.”
Said to be “cost-neutral”, Restore Mushroom Packaging is produced in a low-energy, automated process that involves filling the raw materials evenly into forms that allow them to take the final shapes.
The mycelium is mixed with regionally sourced agricultural waste and grows indoors without the need for light, watering, or petrochemicals.
Sealed Air says the Restore cushions are: “Completely biodegradable and home compostable, allowing for easy and environmentally sound disposal.”
Stuart Roberts, European director of marketing at Sealed Air Europe, says: “The protective packaging qualities of mycelium, coupled with the fantastic sustainability benefits it provides, is something that has major appeal to our customers.
“We have already been inundated with requests for this solution and believe it will prove to be a huge success.”
