Ilab S creates fully biodegradable packaging by binding agricultural waste, such as hemp stems, with mushroom mycelium into a rigid composite that is heat‑treated to be water‑ and heat‑proof. Their proprietary robotic system shapes the material directly from digital 3D models, allowing on‑demand, custom‑fit packaging without plastic molds, and the finished product can be home‑composted in under 45 days, closing the material loop.
Funding
$339.1K raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Conventional packaging relies heavily on single‑use plastics derived from fossil fuels, creating persistent waste that pollutes oceans and landfills and contributes to climate change.
Solution
Ilab S produces fully biodegradable packaging by combining agricultural waste, such as hemp stems, with mycelium—the root network of mushrooms. The mycelium binds the plant fibers into a rigid composite that is heat‑treated to become water‑ and heat‑proof. A proprietary robotic system shapes the material directly from digital 3D models, eliminating the need for disposable plastic molds and enabling on‑demand, custom‑fit packaging. After use, the product can be composted at home, breaking down within 45 days and enriching soil, thereby closing the material loop.
Target Audience
Primary customers are consumer‑goods manufacturers, e‑commerce brands, and food‑service providers seeking sustainable, custom‑shaped packaging that can be composted after use.
Features
- Uses only two plant‑based inputs: locally sourced agricultural waste and mushroom mycelium, both renewable and waste‑derived
- Robotic forming technology that converts digital 3D designs into finished packaging without plastic tooling
- Heat‑treatment process that renders the composite waterproof, heat‑resistant, and structurally rigid
- Certified home‑compostable under the OK Home Compost scheme (TÜV Austria) with full degradation in under 45 days
- Fully customizable shapes and sizes, suitable for a range of applications including thermal insulation, acoustic panels, and decorative items
- Closed‑loop production that recycles water and raw‑material waste back into subsequent manufacturing cycles