Life cycle assessment of mycelium-based composite materials

•Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) are innovative biogenic construction materials.•MBCs have shown promising acoustic, thermal insulation and mechanical strength properties.•Hemp-based light-weight MBC has 0.3668 kg CO2e / kg material in lab scale production in Germany.•Environmental impacts of land-...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Resources, conservation and recycling Vol. 205; p. 107579
Main Authors:	Volk, Rebekka, Schröter, Marius, Saeidi, Nazanin, Steffl, Simon, Javadian, Alireza, Hebel, Dirk E., Schultmann, Frank
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Elsevier B.V 01-06-2024
Subjects:	Environmental accounting Industrial ecology Life cycle assessment Mycelium Production Life cycle assessment Environmental accounting Industrial ecology Mycelium Production
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	•Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) are innovative biogenic construction materials.•MBCs have shown promising acoustic, thermal insulation and mechanical strength properties.•Hemp-based light-weight MBC has 0.3668 kg CO2e / kg material in lab scale production in Germany.•Environmental impacts of land-use and water demand are higher than for conventional materials.•The electricity required contributes significantly to the environmental impact. Mycelium-based composites (MBCs) show promising acoustic and thermal insulation, fire safety, and mechanical strength properties and are suitable for multiple applications in the construction, packing or furniture industry. A life cycle assessment confirmed climate change and fossil energy demand benefits in a laboratory scale production modelled for Germany. MBC are associated with 0.3668 kg CO2e / kg MBC (EN 15804 + A2). The electricity required to run MBC production and hemp cultivation, if used as a substrate, contribute significantly to the environmental impact categories considered. Compared to conventional insulation materials, environmental advantages of MBC can be confirmed. Particularly, MBC has a better climate change impact than extruded polystyrene, quadcore sandwich panel, foam concrete and rockwool. However, since the end-of-life is not assessed, the wood-fiber and straw panels perform better regarding climate change. Moreover, MBC has lower fossil energy demand than all conventional insulation materials. Land-use and water demand are higher than for conventional materials. [Display omitted]
ISSN:	0921-3449 1879-0658
DOI:	10.1016/j.resconrec.2024.107579