There are already companies that use packaging made from formed paper and sugarcane. I would be interested to see what mycelium packaging offers over this.

E.g. https://www.jishan-group.com/pulp-products.

▲

cogman10 11 hours ago | parent | next [-]

In the old days, wood shaving and even popcorn were the packing material of choice.

The reason styrofoam is used is because it's cheaper (main) and it doesn't decompose when wet.

▲

jvm___ 8 hours ago | parent [-]

Molasses was cheap because it was the packing material for plate glass - which was only made in England. Place your plate glass in a barrel, fill it with molasses and you can ship it to North America. Just wash off the glass and you're good to go.

	▲	Barbing 6 hours ago \| parent [-]
		That’s wonderful so I want it to be true. Your comment is one of the top results on my search for more info!

▲

elil17 12 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

I believe the mushroom packaging is more like a foam, so it may be able to better protect products. Additionally, it may have a more "premium" feeling/appearance vs. pulp packaging.

▲

oniony 12 hours ago | parent [-]

Looking at the images, it looks less premium to me than the smoother mouled paper inserts I've seen on electronic products. You could be right on with the foam aspect though.

▲

elil17 10 hours ago | parent [-]

Well there are multiple types of molded paper inserts. Egg carton-type material on the cheap end, and that super smooth stuff that Apple uses on the other (these generally have additives in them - they aren't just paper). In terms of "premium"ness this sits in the middle.

	▲	HumanVerbasizer 5 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Apple was using a cellulose foam mixed with a starch based biodegradable binder, one that was very slightly different from Paperfoam to save them money on licensing fees. Now they just use 99% compressed cellulose with a few antistatic additives.
	▲	account42 8 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		Even egg cartons look more premium than the pictures in TFA.