BIOTHERMOCOL: Mycelium based Packaging Material from Crop Residue

About the Technology

During harvest of crops, large quantity residue is produced. The residue like paddy and wheat straw were  used as substrate for production of biothermocol using mushroom mycelium as binding agent. The mycelium was grown on crop residue in mould at optimum temperature for specific time followed by drying. The invention solves two problems;1) using crop residue as substrate (otherwise burnt in field), 2) reducing the use of environmentally harmful styrofoam thus decreasing the environment pollution.

Salient Features

• Produced form paddy and wheat straw by using mushroom mycelium
• Greener alternative for styrofoam/ thermocol
• Good thermal conductivity
• Good compressive strength
• Environmentally friendly
• Biodegradable in nature
• Fire retardant and hydrophobic
• Excellent replacement to styrofoam/thermocol
• From 100 kg residue get 600 L-corner of 12 cm L x B x H and 2.5 cm thickness
• 400 cylindrical box of Ext. and Int. Dia 16 & 11cm & L of 13cm

Stakeholders

• Entrepreneurs and start up
• Industries involved in production of packaging materials