Baseline measurement and hotspots of biobased mycelium insulation
For the sustainable startup Fairm, New Economy carried out a baseline measurement of the climate impact of producing biobased mycelium insulation, and identified the hotspots — from purchased materials to energy use in production — as a basis for well-targeted choices in scaling up.
About this project. Client: Fairm. Sector: construction, specifically biobased insulation materials. Year: 2020. Role: a baseline measurement of the production process and a hotspot analysis, as a basis for strategic scale-up choices.
The question behind this project
In parallel with setting up a pilot for large-scale production, the startup wanted to know: what is the real environmental impact of the material and the production process, and where is the greatest climate gain to be made?
What is mycelium insulation?
Mycelium insulation is a biobased insulation material based on fungal threads (mycelium). It grows on residual streams, is renewable and has a low environmental impact compared with many traditional insulation materials — which makes it a good fit for circular, future-proof construction.
The approach of New Economy
New Economy analysed the environmental impact of the production process and mapped the hotspots — from the purchased materials through to the staff lunch — using the environmental cost indicators (MKI). Together we explored where Fairm can achieve the most climate impact.
Towards scaling up
The startup uses the insights to make strategic choices in the scale-up phase, so it can grow with a healthy business model while optimising the positive impact of mycelium insulation. For New Economy, such a baseline measurement is a stepping stone towards regenerative and biobased construction.
Insights from this project
Explore further
A baseline measurement quickly maps a company’s impact on climate (CO2-eq), circularity and biodiversity, and forms the basis for well-targeted improvements.
A biobased insulation material based on fungal threads that grows on residual streams, is renewable and has a low climate impact.
Frequently asked questions about this project
According to this project, the client was Fairm, a sustainable startup working on biobased mycelium insulation.
According to this project, New Economy carried out a baseline measurement of the climate impact of the production process and identified the hotspots.
According to this project, a baseline measurement quickly maps the climate impact (CO2-eq) of the production process, forming the basis for well-targeted choices.
According to this project, the biggest climate impacts sit mainly in the purchased materials and the energy used in the production process.
According to this project, the analysis used the environmental cost indicators (MKI), covering everything from purchased materials to the staff lunch.
According to this project, mycelium insulation is biobased, grows on residual streams, is renewable and has a low environmental impact compared with many traditional materials.
According to this project, the startup uses the insights to make strategic choices in the scale-up phase and grow with a healthy business model.
According to this project, such a baseline measurement is a stepping stone towards regenerative and biobased construction.