Abstract
BackgroundThe circular economy closes loops in industrial manufacturing processes and minimizes waste. A bio-based economy aims to replace fossil-based resources and processes by sustainable alternatives which exploits renewable biomass for the generation of products used in our daily live. A current trend in fungal biotechnology—the production of fungal-based biomaterials—will contribute to both.ResultsThis study gives an overview of various trends and development applications in which fungal mycelium is used as new and sustainable biomaterial. A patent survey covering the last decade (2009–2018) yielded 47 patents and patent applications claiming fungal biomass or fungal composite materials for new applications in the packaging, textile, leather and automotive industries. Furthermore, fungal-based materials are envisaged for thermal insulation and as fire protection materials. Most patents and patent applications describe the use of different lignin- and cellulose-containing waste biomass as substrate for fungal cultivations, covering 27 different fungal species in total. Our search uncovered that most patent activities are on-going in the United States and in China.ConclusionCurrent patent developments in the field suggest that fungal bio-based materials will considerable shape the future of material sciences and material applications. Fungal materials can be considered as an excellent renewable and degradable material alternative with a high innovation potential and have the potential to replace current petroleum-based materials.
Highlights
Filamentous fungi are known as production organisms in biotechnology and have become indispensable in research and industry
Patent search Our study was based on a keyword search approach in different classes of the International Patent Classification (IPC) system1 (Fig. 1)
Our patent search uncovered a significant increase in the number of patents related to the emergence of fungal applications in the material sector
Summary
Filamentous fungi are known as production organisms in biotechnology and have become indispensable in research and industry. Fungi are used for human consumption, and fungal enzymes are widely used in the food, biofuels and detergent industries and fungal bioactive compounds are applied in veterinary and human medicine [1]. The metabolic products of fungal organisms are interesting for research and industry, and the mycelial structure of filamentous fungi is moving into the focus of new areas of application. The circular economy closes loops in industrial manufacturing processes and minimizes waste. A bio-based economy aims to replace fossil-based resources and processes by sustainable alternatives which exploits renewable biomass for the generation of products used in our daily live. A current trend in fungal biotechnology— the production of fungal-based biomaterials—will contribute to both
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