Mycelium Is Disrupting the $30B Packaging Foams Market: Myco’s Plastic-Free Technology Is Efficient, Scalable, and Profitable
- Marc Violo
- Sep 8
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 9
Article in partnership with MYCO a Czech deep-tech company developing biodegradable mycelium-based materials from organic waste, offering sustainable and cost-competitive alternatives to single-use plastics.
With growing pressure on sustainability and the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), moving away from plastic is becoming a key priority for businesses. Increasing the share of recycled plastic in packaging is only a temporary fix that doesn’t address the core problem. The real opportunity lies in completely eliminating plastics, especially where more protection is needed than just a cardboard box.
The MYCO 4Pack packaging system is designed precisely for this purpose. The company is now opening a new investment round to drive its scale-up phase — inviting visionary partners to join in shaping the next generation of packaging.
Plastic-Free Packaging That Cuts Costs and Strengthens Supply Chains
Adoption of new technology is often driven by cost savings rather than sustainability. Myco’s plastic-free packaging solution delivers both. By leveraging local, low-energy production from waste input materials, it reduces operating costs and carbon footprint simultaneously. Rapid, custom packaging design tailored to each product ensures maximum protection while using up to 4× less cushioning volume — lowering material and shipping expenses. For standard needs, cushioning elements can be produced for stock, optimizing supply chain efficiency. Stackability and easy handling further cut storage and labor costs. This is a 100% sustainable solution with a clear profitability path, making the shift to plastic-free packaging not just the right choice, but the smart one.
The system is designed for supply chain stability. Flexible input material sourcing — based on what is locally available — ensures uninterrupted production and lower dependency on global raw material markets. Customers can even use their own waste as feedstock, turning disposal costs into a value stream. With complete production under one roof, quality control is maximized and lead times are minimized, strengthening resilience against market volatility.
Unmatched Economics with Zero Barriers to Entry
Cost competitiveness is built into every stage. Low-cost input materials, low-energy manufacturing processes, and minimal prototyping costs combine to deliver a highly competitive price point. The system requires no upfront tooling costs, making it accessible even for small and medium production runs. Customers can switch with zero implementation costs, removing one of the largest barriers to adopting new technology. Additionally, users benefit from lower fees associated with compostable and recyclable materials, unlike hard-to-recycle plastics, where fees are expected to rise due to extended producer responsibility regulations.
New European legislation is making the use of plastic packaging increasingly complex and costly. Solutions like MYCO 4Pack prove that the transition to plastic-free alternatives is both possible and commercially advantageous.
The MYCO material itself has a low carbon footprint — replacing 1 kg of EPS saves up to 5 kg of CO₂ emissions. This not only enhances companies’ ESG reporting but also reduces waste disposal costs, creating further savings. This cost efficiency, paired with proven scalability, positions Myco’s solution as a market-ready disruptor in the transition to sustainable packaging.
Safety Without Compromise
The main concern when switching to eco-friendly alternatives is the risk of product damage. MYCO 4Pack, winner of the Red Dot 2024 award, disproves this fear. It is designed to absorb shocks and vibrations in the same way as polystyrene (EPS), expanded polyethylene (EPE), or polyurethane (PUR).
This performance is confirmed by real-world data. Camea, a manufacturer of sensitive electronic devices, reports not only comparable but even superior product protection after switching to MYCO 4Pack compared to their previously used plastic foam. Leading companies have also embraced the technology: Vodafone employs MYCO 4Pack for shipping returned or repaired phones, ensuring reliable protection in high-volume logistics. Thermo Fisher Scientific, with its rigorous demands for secure and contamination-free transit of scientific instruments and reagents, relies on MYCO 4Pack to safeguard their highly sensitive products. And Meopta, a producer of precision optical and imaging equipment, uses MYCO 4Pack to protect delicate lenses and components while cutting environmental impact dramatically.
MYCO 4Pack thus achieves the same function as plastic — but without a single plastic component. Made solely from paper and a mycelium-based composite, it not only complies with upcoming bans on single-use plastic packaging but is also exempt from the PPWR quotas on mandatory recycled content.
New Investment Round to Power Major Scale-Up and Commercial Expansion
The company is launching a new investment round to finance the construction of its second-generation pilot production line, boasting a 10× increase in capacity and capable of producing up to 15 SafePads per second. This fully containerised, modular system is designed for easy transport and will be sold as a turnkey solution to enable rapid deployment at customer sites. In addition to the production line, Myco will continue to supply its proprietary raw material consumable, which is critical for optimizing material growth, ensuring manufacturing efficiency, and minimizing scrap rates.
The investment will also support hiring a dedicated direct sales team focused on driving sales of the manufacturing technology, accelerating market penetration and customer acquisition during this critical scale-up phase.
Brand Empowerment
“In today’s market, sustainability alone is no longer enough — effective communication of that sustainability is crucial,” says MYCO CEO David Šohaj Minařík. MYCO 4Pack provides companies with a clear, innovative packaging story based on mushroom technology, which resonates strongly with end consumers and drives brand differentiation.This plastic-free solution has become a measurable asset for ESG reporting, contributing to improved corporate sustainability scores and positively impacting customer loyalty metrics.
The Czech company MYCO demonstrates that eliminating plastics from protective packaging does not require compromising on quality or compliance. Instead, it presents an opportunity to adopt high-performance packaging that meets evolving regulations and strengthens market positioning, opening new revenue streams and reducing risk associated with future legislative changes.