Tarkett and Mycocycle Partner to Use Mushrooms for Construction Waste

From left: Arnaud Marquis, sustainability officer, Tarkett Group; Fabrice Barthelemy, chief executive officer, Tarkett Group; Joanne Rodriguez, founder, Mycocycle; Roxane Spears, vice president of sustainability, Tarkett North America; Eric Daliere, chief executive officer, Tarkett North America. Photo: Tarkett.

Flooring company Tarkett has announced a new partnership with biotech startup Mycocycle, with a shared goal of reducing the amount of construction waste that ends up in landfills. The partnership will focus on leveraging the natural root structure of mushrooms to break down and recycle waste generated from the construction and demolition process.

Mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, has been shown to be a highly effective tool for breaking down a variety of organic materials, including construction waste. By partnering with Mycocycle, Tarkett hopes to incorporate this sustainable waste management solution into its own operations. Tarkett is particularly interested in exploring the use of mycelium to break down old flooring and the adhesives used for installation.

The company already operates a take-back and recycling program for post-use flooring, known as ReStart. Tarkett plans to work with Mycocycle to enhance and expand the use of mycelium in the recycling process. In addition to its environmental benefits, the use of mycelium also has the potential to create new business opportunities for Tarkett. The company is actively working to increase the use of recycled and sustainable materials in its products. Tarkett has set a goal to double its use of recycled or renewable materials by the year 2030. The partnership with Mycocycle is expected to play a significant role in helping the company achieve that goal, the company said in a statement.

Tarkett is not the only company exploring the use of mycelium as a sustainable building material. A growing number of architects and designers are looking to mycelium as a more eco-friendly alternative to traditional materials like plastic and concrete. Mycelium-based products can be found in a range of applications, from insulation and packaging to furniture and clothing. Proponents of mycelium believe that the material’s potential is virtually limitless. As the construction industry continues to grapple with the environmental impact of its waste, the use of mycelium and other innovative solutions is expected to play a key role in driving the transition to a more circular economy.

Source: Edisource International Newsdesk with AI Smart Assist