Abstract
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is widely used for packaging and insulation but poses significant environmental burdens due to its fossil-fuel origin and poor biodegradability. Mycelium-based composites (MBCs), grown on agricultural residues, have emerged as promising biodegradable alternatives. This study presents a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of MBCs versus EPS for packaging box inserts and building insulation applications. A cradle-to-grave LCA was conducted following ISO 14040/14044 standards, using primary data from pilot-scale MBC production and literature data for EPS. Impacts were assessed using ReCiPe 2016 midpoint and endpoint methods. Results show that MBCs reduce global warming potential by 45–60% compared to EPS, primarily due to carbon sequestration during fungal growth and avoidance of fossil-based feedstocks. However, MBCs exhibit higher land use and water consumption impacts. Sensitivity analyses indicate that substrate sourcing and end-of-life scenarios significantly influence outcomes. Under optimized conditions (e.g., local agricultural waste, industrial composting), MBCs outperform EPS across most impact categories. The findings support the adoption of mycelium-based materials as a sustainable substitute for EPS, though scalability and cost remain challenges.
Keywords
life cycle assessment, mycelium-based composites, expanded polystyrene, biodegradable materials, sustainable packaging, building insulation, circular economy, bio-based composites