Biodegradable Building Materials Inspired by Fungi: From Diapers to Sustainable Construction
Biodegradable building materials represent a breakthrough for the construction industry aiming to reduce plastic pollution and improve sustainability. HIRO Technologies has pioneered this concept by creating a diaper embedded with fungi that accelerate decomposition. This innovation provides a roadmap for how fungi-based processes can revolutionize biodegradable building materials in construction, helping materials return safely to nature after use.
How Fungi Power Biodegradable Building Materials
Fungi secrete enzymes like laccases and cellulases that naturally break down complex polymers, including plastics and wood fibers. HIRO uses fungal species such as Trametes versicolor and Aspergillus niger, known for their strong enzymatic activity, to digest diaper components.
In construction, these fungi can be integrated into materials by inoculating agricultural waste or cellulose-based composites with fungal spores. After a controlled growth period, the fungal mycelium binds particles into strong, lightweight panels or bricks. This method produces durable yet fully biodegradable building materials that decompose once exposed to landfill conditions or composting environments.
Case Study: The Mycelium Pavilion Project
Architects in the Netherlands recently built the Mycelium Pavilion using bricks grown from fungal mycelium and agricultural byproducts. Miki Agrawal, HIRO’s co-founder, noted, “This project shows that fungi can do more than just break down waste—they can create new building materials that work as well as conventional ones but vanish harmlessly when no longer needed.”
The pavilion materials demonstrated excellent insulation and mechanical strength during use, while allowing full biodegradability after dismantling. This case exemplifies how biodegradable building materials can enter mainstream construction.
Integrating Fungi with Traditional Building Materials
Technically, fungi can be combined with wood chips, hemp fibers, or cellulose pulp. The process involves sterilizing the base material, mixing it with fungal spores, then incubating the mixture in molds. The fungal mycelium grows through the matrix, naturally gluing the particles together without synthetic adhesives. After drying, the resulting composite is lightweight, fire-resistant, and insulating.
This fungal integration allows manufacturers to replace harmful petrochemical binders with natural biological agents, leading to eco-friendly panels, insulation boards, or packaging materials—all part of the next generation of biodegradable building materials.
Impact on Developing Markets and Building Codes
In regions with limited waste infrastructure, adopting biodegradable building materials could alleviate landfill pressures and pollution. However, building codes must evolve to define standards for fungal-based products regarding fire safety, moisture resistance, and durability.
Experts emphasize the need for regulations that balance innovation with safety. “Building codes have to catch up with biology-driven materials to ensure they perform well throughout their lifespan,” says Tero Isokauppila, co-founder of HIRO Technologies.
Challenges and Future Directions
| Challenge | Opportunity |
|---|---|
| Mechanical strength in humid conditions | Hybrid composites with fungi and bio-resins |
| Standardization and certification | Development of international testing protocols |
| Manufacturing scale-up | Collaboration with agriculture and forestry sectors |
| Long-term durability data | Advanced field trials and monitoring |
Cross-disciplinary cooperation is vital for scaling biodegradable building materials from prototypes to commercial building solutions.
Conclusion
HIRO Technologies’ fungal diaper innovation highlights a new era for biodegradable building materials in construction. By harnessing fungi’s natural abilities, the industry can create materials that combine performance with sustainability, reduce environmental footprints, and contribute to circular economies worldwide.
This biological approach is not only a technical breakthrough but also a hopeful vision where buildings harmonize with natural cycles rather than burden them.
ArchUp is your platform to follow everything “architectural“: news, analyses, and designs straight from the heart of the modern architectural movement.
