Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-3-2026

Comments

This article is the author's final published version in Polymers, Volume 18, Issue 3, Feburary 13 2026, Article Number 400.

The published version is available at https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18030400. Copyright © The Authors.

Abstract

Mycelium-based composites (MBCs\) are formed from lignocellulosic substrates and biopolymer matrices derived from fungal mycelium. Due to their low fossil energy demand and biodegradability, MBCs represent a versatile and sustainable material suitable for a range of applications, with increasing interest focused on packaging. Hemp fibers are an example of natural fibers with great promise as a substrate to improve the mechanical properties of MBCs. However, the separation of bast and hurd fiber requires processing and commercial-scale facilities that are logistically challenging and may be cost-prohibitive. Here, the potential for minimally processed hemp, with no separation of fibers, is evaluated for the first time to demonstrate feasibility as a substrate for MBCs. Screening included different fiber ratios combined with three different, locally available mushroom strains, which are among the most common in MBC research. The resulting MBCs were tested as an alternative to environmentally harmful expanded polystyrene (EPS, or polystyrene foam), with a focus on compressive strength to reflect load-bearing performance. Some MBCs revealed mechanical performance that met or exceeded EPS, demonstrating the utility of minimally processed hemp fiber in biocomposites for safer packaging.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Additional Files
polymers-18-00400-s001.zip (153 kB)

Language

English

Download

Share

COinS