VIDEO: Mushrooms replace formaldehydes in particle board manufacturing

An American design and material science company has developed an unlikely replacement for the toxic urea formaldehyde used in particle board manufacturing: mushrooms.

Ecovative Design has figured out how to replace urea formaldehyde, which is used to bind wood particles together in particle boards, with the root structure of mushrooms, called mycelium.

The firm claims that mycelium performs as good as any formaldehyde in binding the wood particles, but will break down into harmless organic matter when disposed.

Ecovative is currently using mycelium in particle board, insulation, brick manufacturing and packaging materials, but has predicted that the product will be used in the manufacturing of other construction materials in the future.

Watch the video below for more information:

Image: Ecovative Design.

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