MY-FI successfully upscaled biofabrication processes and tested the materials across different sectors. Over the past year, the project focused on finalizing the upscaling of the Dynamic Liquid Fermentation protocol and analyzing the properties of various materials, including the one from the Surface Liquid Fermentation. The Dynamic Liquid Fermentation process reached a scale of 1,500L, despite the low quality of the material. Further experimentation is required to achieve a high-quality product. Meanwhile, the Surface Liquid Fermentation material demonstrated satisfactory performance and significant advancements compared to the raw material, making it suitable for prototyping activities in both the fashion and automotive industries. The project developed 12 prototypes in the fashion industry and 2 in the automotive industry.
Thanks to improvements in the wet process, water usage has been reduced, and a wastewater treatment system has been implemented. This supports the industrial scale-up of the Surface Liquid Fermentation process and its market exploitation. The pilot scale of 1,900m²/year has been successfully achieved, paving the way for industrial upscaling.
Biodegradability tests were conducted on the finished material. Both Dynamic and Surface Liquid Fermentation materials were tested under industrial composting and marine conditions. Additionally, partners evaluated microplastic release; however, the test had several limitations, preventing a fully reliable analysis of the materials. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Cost Analysis (LCC) for both processes, including wet processing, were also performed. The LCA results were highly promising, while the LCC highlighted the need for greater efficiency and economies of scale. Further research is required to achieve full material circularity.
IPR management and an extended patent analysis were conducted, covering all processes and products developed within MY-FI. Additionally, the project finalized 19 Key Exploitable Results (KERs). Business Plans for all partners were completed, and for industrial partners, a Financial Analysis was carried out, estimating CAPEX and OPEX, which contributed to the Profit and Loss analysis. The results indicate promising potential for future investment. To complete the Business Landscape, Market Segmentation and Competitor Analysis were included, providing a comprehensive view of the market, its segmentation, competitors, and their activities. The market entry of mycelium-based materials represents the largest share among next-generation plant-derived materials and is expected to grow.
The final MY-FI conference took place in Milan during the ECOSYSTEX Conference, where the prototypes were showcased. BOND created over 12 prototypes, including complex designs such as a jacket and a dress, while CRF and VW AG developed a headrest and a dashboard fascia. The Surface Liquid Fermentation material demonstrated its versatility across industries and its potential for market entry.
Three scientific papers have been published, and Guidelines for policymakers have also been released. The project has been widely disseminated through the MY-FI website, social media channels, newsletters, and participation in conferences and events. The Stakeholder Advisory Board, comprising key stakeholders, has met three times since the project’s inception, focusing on key results related to biofabrication, post-processing, and prototyping.
The main takeaway is that the material is highly promising for the market, with stakeholders considering it a strong starting point for a new generation of materials across various industries. The tactile and visual qualities of the raw material are particularly noteworthy and should be further emphasized.
