01
What is mycelium insulation?
Mycelium is a network of fine fungal filaments. In a composite, that network connects biological inputs into a material. The result is a family of materials rather than a single specification: structure, inputs and manufacturing influence its properties.
02
Thermal performance: λ, R and thickness.
Thermal conductivity λ describes heat transfer through a material and is expressed in W/(m·K). For a homogeneous layer, thermal resistance is R = thickness / λ. Thickness must be expressed in metres. Lower conductivity gives higher resistance at the same thickness. A whole-wall U-value also considers the other layers, interfaces and thermal bridges.
03
Moisture is a system question.
Liquid water absorption, water vapour movement and moisture storage describe different behaviours. A panel can be exposed to rain during installation, humidity in use or condensation inside an assembly. Useful evaluation therefore links the material’s response with the climate, detailing and adjacent layers. Drying potential and performance after exposure matter as well as the initial measurement.
04
Fire: distinguish material and assembly.
Reaction to fire concerns a material’s contribution to a fire. Fire resistance concerns how an element or assembly performs during fire exposure. One does not establish the other. An appropriate assessment records the tested configuration, including thickness, substrate, finish and fixing. General observations about mycelium materials cannot establish a classification for a different panel.
05
Acoustics: absorption is not sound insulation.
Sound absorption affects reflected sound within a room. Sound insulation concerns transmission between spaces. Comparisons need the same acoustic quantity, frequency range, thickness and mounting. A porous material can be a useful research direction without automatically providing a room-to-room insulation rating.
06
Durability is performance over time.
A useful insulation material must retain the properties its application depends on. Development needs to consider dimensional movement, changes after humidity exposure, mechanical handling and biological stability under intended service conditions. Useful life assumptions also influence environmental comparisons.
07
Manufacturing turns a sample into a repeatable material.
Scaling a biological material involves more than increasing batch size. Input consistency, variation between panels, quality controls, energy demand and compatibility with production equipment all affect manufacturing. FungiFoam’s V3 programme puts repeatability alongside performance, with pilot manufacturing and industrial scale as later milestones.
08
Compare the same function.
EPS, polyurethane, mineral wool, cork and mycelium composites differ in material structure and product format. A useful comparison starts with equivalent thermal resistance, then considers moisture, fire, mechanical needs, installation and service life. Environmental comparison should use consistent life-cycle boundaries and account for how much material delivers the required function.
09
From material science to building use.
Commercialisation connects repeatable material data with application testing, the relevant certification route, production capability and installation guidance. The key challenge is to advance those elements together. For project teams, an early conversation can define the intended use, exposure, required performance and the evidence needed for a decision.
10
FungiFoam’s approach.
We develop composites from mycelium, agricultural residues and cork for European building insulation. V2 is developed, with an experimental thermal conductivity of approximately 0.04 W/(m·K). V3 is in development. Our public technical overview separates the experimental result, indicative calculations and the testing programme.
Frequently asked questions
What is FungiFoam made from?
Mycelium, agricultural residues and cork. Detailed formulations and manufacturing know-how remain confidential.
What thermal result has FungiFoam achieved?
Approximately 0.04 W/(m·K) in experimental V2 testing. The material page provides indicative resistance calculations; the development page explains the technical context.
Is FungiFoam commercially available?
FungiFoam is in material development, with V3 underway. Contact the team to discuss sample availability and evaluation opportunities.
Can mycelium insulation replace EPS or polyurethane?
That depends on the product and building system. Compare equivalent thermal resistance, moisture, fire, mechanical requirements and service life for the intended application.
Is bio-based insulation automatically biodegradable?
No. End-of-life behaviour depends on the finished material and disposal conditions. Biodegradability and compostability require their own evidence.
How can I collaborate?
Share your application, location, requirements and development priorities. We welcome industrial, building, research and investment conversations.
Research and further reading
Elsacker et al. (2019) explore how material inputs and processing influence thermal, physical and mechanical properties in mycelium composites. This study concerns other materials and provides context for the category. PLOS ONE · Elsacker et al. (2019)
European Commission: energy performance of buildings
FungiFoam editorial guide · Updated 7 October 2026