Mycelium Brick Market Valued at Nearly USD 3.2 Bn | 2033

Updated · Jan 10, 2025

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Key Takeaways
Emerging Trends
Use Cases
Major Challenges
Market Growth Opportunities
Recent Developments
Conclusion

Introduction

New York, NY – January 10, 2025 – The global Mycelium Brick Market is on a growth trajectory, with its size projected to increase from USD 1.6 billion in 2023 to USD 3.2 billion by 2033, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2033.

This expansion is primarily driven by the rising demand for sustainable construction materials, as mycelium bricks offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional building products. Factors such as increased environmental awareness and stringent regulations are propelling the market forward. However, challenges such as limited awareness and adoption, along with high research and development costs, may impede market growth.

Nonetheless, the increasing demand across various industries presents significant opportunities for market expansion. Demand for these bricks is primarily driven by the construction industry’s shift towards green building materials, alongside growing consumer awareness of sustainable practices. Key growth factors include rising governmental regulations supporting eco-friendly construction, advancements in biotechnology for material production, and the increasing need for lightweight yet durable building materials.

Key Takeaways

Mycelium Brick Market size is expected to be worth around USD 3.2 Bn by 2033, from USD 1.6 Bn in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 7.3%.
Mycelium Composites held a dominant market position in the Mycelium Brick Market, capturing more than a 44.4% share.
Furniture in the Mycelium Brick market held a dominant position, capturing more than a 27.5% share.
The building and Construction sector held a dominant market position in the Mycelium Brick market, capturing more than a 46.4% share.
Asia Pacific (APAC) stands out as the dominant region, capturing 37.7% of the market with a valuation of approximately USD 0.58 billion.

Emerging Trends

Sustainable Production: Mycelium bricks are made by cultivating fungal mycelium on organic waste materials. This process not only recycles agricultural by-products but also reduces the need for energy-intensive manufacturing methods, making it an eco-friendly alternative to conventional bricks.
Lightweight and Strong: Despite their lightness, mycelium bricks possess impressive strength and durability. Their unique structure provides a high strength-to-weight ratio, making them suitable for various construction applications without compromising structural integrity.
Thermal and Acoustic Insulation: These bricks offer excellent thermal insulation, helping to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures and reduce energy costs. Additionally, their porous nature provides effective sound absorption, enhancing acoustic comfort within buildings.
Fire and Mold Resistance: Mycelium bricks are naturally resistant to fire and mold. When properly treated, they can withstand high temperatures and resist fungal growth, contributing to the safety and longevity of structures.
Biodegradable and Compostable: At the end of their life cycle, mycelium bricks are biodegradable and compostable. This characteristic ensures that they do not contribute to landfill waste, aligning with sustainable building practices.

Use Cases

Sustainable Packaging: Mycelium bricks are utilized to create eco-friendly packaging materials. By growing mycelium around agricultural waste, companies produce biodegradable packaging that decomposes naturally, reducing reliance on plastic and minimizing environmental impact.
Acoustic Insulation: In interior design, mycelium bricks serve as effective acoustic panels. Their porous structure absorbs sound, enhancing acoustic comfort in spaces like offices, studios, and concert halls, while also contributing to sustainable building practices.
Temporary Structures: Architects employ mycelium bricks to construct temporary installations and pavilions. These structures showcase the material’s versatility and biodegradability, offering innovative solutions for events and exhibitions without long-term environmental consequences.
Furniture Design: Designers are exploring mycelium bricks in furniture manufacturing. The material’s moldability allows for the creation of unique, lightweight, and sustainable furniture pieces, appealing to eco-conscious consumers seeking alternative materials.
Agricultural Waste Management: Utilizing agricultural by-products like straw and husks, mycelium bricks offer a sustainable method for waste management. This approach not only recycles waste but also produces valuable building materials, promoting a circular economy.

Major Challenges

Limited Structural Strength: Mycelium bricks generally possess lower compressive strength compared to traditional materials like concrete. This limitation restricts their use in load-bearing applications, necessitating further research to enhance their structural capabilities.
Environmental Sensitivity: As a living material, mycelium is susceptible to environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature fluctuations. Without proper treatment, exposure to moisture can lead to degradation, affecting the longevity and performance of the bricks.
Standardization and Regulations: The absence of established industry standards and regulations for mycelium bricks complicates their integration into mainstream construction. This lack of standardization poses challenges for architects and engineers in ensuring consistent quality and performance.
Scalability of Production: Scaling up the production of mycelium bricks to meet large-scale construction demands presents logistical challenges. The current production processes are labor-intensive and limited by the growth rate of the mycelium, which cannot be hastened beyond a certain limit without compromising quality.
Durability Concerns: Mycelium bricks are biodegradable, which, while advantageous for environmental sustainability, raises concerns about their long-term durability. Ensuring that these bricks maintain their integrity over extended periods, especially in varying climates, is a significant challenge.

Market Growth Opportunities

Sustainable Construction Materials: The growing demand for eco-friendly building materials positions mycelium bricks as a viable alternative to traditional options. Their biodegradability and low environmental impact appeal to the construction industry, aligning with global sustainability goals.
Innovative Packaging Solutions: Mycelium bricks can be molded into protective packaging materials, offering a renewable substitute for plastics. This innovation caters to industries seeking sustainable packaging options, reducing reliance on non-biodegradable materials.
Acoustic Insulation Applications: Due to their natural sound-absorbing properties, mycelium bricks are suitable for acoustic insulation in buildings. This application meets the increasing demand for noise reduction solutions in urban environments.
Agricultural Waste Utilization: Mycelium bricks can be produced using agricultural by-products, providing a sustainable method to recycle waste. This approach supports circular economy practices and reduces environmental waste.
Fire-Resistant Building Materials: With appropriate treatment, mycelium bricks can offer fire-resistant properties, enhancing building safety. This feature makes them attractive for use in fire-prone areas and aligns with stringent building regulations.

Recent Developments

Ecovative Design LLC, In September 2023, Ecovative opened its first commercial-scale mycelium materials production facility in New York. The 136,000-square-foot plant will produce three million square feet of mycelium materials annually.
Mogu S.r.l (now SQIM), In January 2024, SQIM (formerly Mogu S.r.l) raised €11 million in Series A funding to scale operations and open a new production plant for mycelium-based materials.
MycoWorks, In July 2023, MycoWorks collaborated with General Motors to develop mycelium-based materials for automotive applications, showcased in Cadillac’s SOLLEI concept vehicle. MycoWorks opened its first commercial-scale production facility for Fine Mycelium materials in South Carolina in October 2023.
Biomyc Ltd Biomyc collaborated with KIA in 2023 to implement mycelium composite materials inside concept cars, helping design and integrate the first mycelium composite part in a KIA vehicle.
Freshcap Mushrooms Ltd, In February 2024, FreshCap launched an exclusive retail partnership with GNC to distribute its functional mushroom products in 1500 locations across the United States.
Mushlabs GmbH (now Infinite Roots) In January 2024, Infinite Roots (formerly Mushlabs) secured €53 million in Series B funding to expand production capacities for mycelium-based food products.

Conclusion

The Mycelium Bricks Market offers a revolutionary solution in sustainable construction, packaging, and design. With their environmentally friendly production process and natural properties, they align with global sustainability trends. While challenges such as durability, scalability, and environmental sensitivity need to be addressed, their potential to reduce waste, lower carbon footprints, and provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional materials is clear. As innovation continues, mycelium bricks are likely to play an increasingly important role in shaping a greener, more sustainable future.