• The collaboration opens doors to emerging markets in mycelium-based products, offering farmers new avenues for business expansion.
• Comprehensive training and support will be provided to farmers, ensuring seamless integration of this technology into their operations.

GREEN ISLAND, N.Y., December 6th, 2023 — Today marks a significant milestone as Ecovative, the frontrunner in mycelium-based materials, and Limbraco International BV, a leading manufacturer in mushroom agricultural machinery, proudly announce a strategic alliance to manufacture specialized farming equipment for the production of Ecovative’s flagship AirMycelium™ crops. This collaboration is focused on developing state-of-the-art filling and harvesting equipment, aimed at introducing new, high-value mycelium crops to the mushroom farming industry and accelerating the growth of the mycelium materials sector.

"We are excited about this partnership with Ecovative," says Frank Cornelissen of Limbraco International BV. "It represents a fusion of cutting-edge technology and new markets, aimed at empowering mushroom farmers with the tools they need for success in an emerging and competitive industry."

Ecovative’s technology unlocks a new mushroom mycelium crop for use in fashion materials and animal-free meats. The technology is designed to integrate directly with existing mushroom farms, allowing mushroom growers a quick addition of high value, fast growing product lines to their facilities.

To bring the burgeoning mycelium-based industry to market at scale, Limbraco's machinery includes custom-designed equipment that ensures consistently high yields and quality material when paired with Ecovative’s patented growing process. A successful pilot with Whitecrest Mushrooms, a large commercial mushroom farm in Ontario Canada, demonstrated the viability of this approach, and the farm will be dedicating half of its mushroom production capacity to the new AirMycelium technology in 2024.

“Limbraco's sophisticated and reliable equipment is essential for meeting the unique requirements of Ecovative’s mycelium crop, AirMycelium.” said Gavin McIntyre, Chief Commercial Officer at Ecovative, “This strategic alliance is a significant step towards scaling up the production of new high-value mycelium crops for mushroom farmers, which hold immense potential for food and fashion."

The announcement comes after a year of close collaboration between Ecovative and Limbraco. Access to Ecovative and Limbraco's mycelium production machinery will be exclusive to Ecovative’s mushroom farm network. To enquire about opportunities or become a contract grower visit ecovative.com.

About Ecovative:
Ecovative is a biological science and design company, advancing mycelium technology to transform industries with high quality, Earth-friendly materials. Founded in 2007, Ecovative makes mycelium materials and products commercially competitive and accessible to everyone. Leveraging its Mycelium Foundry, dedicated production capacity and a range of industry leading partners, Ecovative grows better materials for everyday needs. To learn more, visit ecovative.com.

About Limbraco:
For over 50 years Limbraco has been active in the mechanization, automation and delivery of complete systems in the entire mushroom growing sector. With in-house knowledge and technology, Limbraco is able to offer turnkey projects, both in the Netherlands and around the world. This means the engineering, construction, machine technology and climate control systems required for a mushroom farm in its entirety. All specific components are manufactured in-house, for example, picking lorries, conveyors, special doors, climate units, control cabinets, et cetera.

Media Contact:
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In the competitive realm of mushroom farming, achieving perfection is the key to success. However, striving for excellence in harvesting efficiency often requires guidance from seasoned experts. Don't worry; UMDIS has you covered. Its upcoming training course is tailor-made for ambitious growers like you, promising a fast track to unprecedented yields.

Mushroom harvesting course — who, when and where?

Led by the accomplished instructor, Lina Turovska, who effortlessly manages six farms across America, UMDIS' mushroom harvesting course is a three-day immersion into cutting-edge techniques for optimizing your harvesting process. Expect to learn methods that can boost your yields by an impressive 5–8 kilograms of mushrooms per square meter!

In order to accommodate various schedules, the organisers decided to organise two events, which take place later this month: one from September 11-13, 2023, conducted in both English and Polish and another from September 18-20, 2023, conducted exclusively in English.

Just like the staff and equipment, the locations have been carefully selected to provide maximum value to the participants. By signing up you’ll get the opportunity to visit Sopinscy Uprawa Pieczarek, which is the largest farm in Europe, as well as the exceptional Wierzbno Mushroom Farm.

Learn while using GROWTIME’s top-of-the-line equipment

At GROWTIME, we're passionate about advancing the mushroom growing industry. We don't just produce equipment; we share the expertise to make the most of it.

We’ve partnered with UMDIS to conduct a theoretical and practical session on the optimal operation of our modern mushroom picking trolleys. These trolleys are designed with the most demanding customers in mind, and now you can master their potential.

Ready to take your mushroom farming to the next level? Sign up today and learn from the best in the business! Visit our website to read more about the upcoming training course and to check out GROWTIME’s state-of-the-art lorries, which will be in action during the events.

University of Queensland researchers are working with industry to develop biodegradable ‘plastic’ bags for use in mushroom farming, which could open lucrative opportunities in packaging and manufacturing.

Dr Nasim Amiralian from UQ’s Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology is collaborating with Queensland producer Scenic Rim Mushrooms to reduce the company’s reliance on plastic ‘grow bags’.

“Grow bags are widely used across the fungiculture industry, but most are made from non-biodegradable materials which can only be burned or sent to landfill,” Dr Amiralian said.

Please read the full article here.

Source: The University of Queensland