Why Do Similar Mycomaterials Perform Differently?
Two mycelium materials can look almost identical yet behave very differently. Their density, strength and water absorption tell a story about the production process behind them. The challenge is learning how to read it.
When does a prototype become a product?
A successful mycelium prototype proves that something is possible. But turning it into a product requires something much harder: making it work again, and again, under changing conditions and at a larger scale.
Stripping the Narrative: Are Mycomaterials Competitive?
Mycomaterials have a powerful story: biological, circular and seemingly sustainable. But what remains when we strip away the narrative? A critical look at where mycelium-based materials can already compete — and where performance, consistency, cost and scale still set the rules.
Why 121°C Doesn’t Guarantee Sterile Substrate
Many substrate producers assume that reaching 121°C guarantees successful sterilization. In reality, steam distribution, venting, condensation and heat transfer determine whether microorganisms are actually destroyed throughout the substrate.
Why your substrate recipe stops working after scaling up
Your substrate recipe worked perfectly in small batches. Then production expanded – and consistency disappeared. Learn why scaling up changes heat, oxygen, CO₂ and moisture dynamics, and why industrial production requires more than simply multiplying a successful recipe.
Why your substrate is too wet… even when the moisture content is correct
Your substrate can contain the correct amount of water and still behave as if it’s too wet. The difference lies in how water is held inside the substrate. Discover why porosity, structure and air-filled spaces matter just as much as moisture content.
Why saying yes to a mushroom production course is harder than it seems
You know learning matters. Yet stepping away for a mushroom production course can feel almost impossible. This article reflects on why time is often the hardest barrier – not because it’s missing, but because it is already claimed.
Clean Hands, Dirty Mindset
A curious case from our spawn lab…
Everything looked perfect. Every step was by the book. And still – something subtle slipped through… A batch that seemed fine on day one suddenly changed by day three. Nothing dramatic, nothing obvious… just enough to tell us that something, somewhere, didn’t add up.
Tuning Into Fungi: When Biology Meets Manufacturing
Biologist Jara Salueña Martín turns fungi into future-ready materials, merging science, design, and sustainability. Dive into her journey and see how living organisms can reshape the way we create.