In Germany and Japan, we recognise a growing interest in sustainable and organic produced food like cultured fungi. There is also a massive trend towards vegetarian/vegan nutrition. On the other hand, industry and society seeks to implement a circular economy with waste prevention. In this respect we developed an idea where we could combine the use of certain organic and inorganic wastes as a supplement to growth substrates for culture-fungi. This means that certain wastes could provide a nitrogen source (often limiting) for an enhanced production of edible mushrooms. An important challenge will be to provide a nitrogen source of equal quality applicable in mushroom production. Great benefits would be to create a higher quality use of certain wastes and to enhance the production of healthy food. The targeted solution would also be of great use in the manufacture of bioeconomic myco-composites where it would reduce production cycles and lead to more homogenous materials. The improved myco-composite production with the new supplements / additives should therefore be a second focus of the planned project.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP conducts research not only on classical building physics topics such as acoustics, energy efficiency, indoor climate, hygiene and sensor technology, building material recycling, and hygrothermal performance but also on projects with high societal relevance. One of the central topics in this regard is bioeconomy, with several projects already carried out, including the development of sustainable, bio-based, and bio-hybrid materials and building materials (e.g. myco-composites).