Mycelium Biomaterials & Packaging
Grow mycelium composites on agricultural residues and turn them into compostable packaging, from strain choice to molding and testing.
Program identification
- 1.1Program name
- Mycelium Biomaterials & Packaging
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Biotechnology & Biomaterials. A Fungaris program of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own program, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: January 11, 2027 to April 2, 2027. Enrollment closes on January 4, 2027. Following intake: March 8, 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Program description
This course walks you through the full workflow of making mycelium-based packaging. You learn how fungal hyphae grow through loose agricultural residues and bind them into a solid composite, how to choose species and substrates such as hemp hurd, straw or sawdust, and how to sterilize, inoculate and fill molds without contamination. You then manage growth, drying and heat inactivation so that the final part is stable, before testing compression, cushioning and moisture behavior.
Brands and retailers are under pressure to replace expanded polystyrene and other foams, and mycelium composites are among the few options that are both grown and home-compostable. The course suits designers, packaging engineers and makers who want hands-on understanding rather than marketing claims, and it is honest about current limits such as moisture sensitivity and cycle times. Live sessions are led by practitioners who produce these materials. Your final project is a documented packaging prototype for a real product, with growth records, test results and an end-of-life assessment.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in biotechnology, useful in areas such as Packaging, Consumer goods, Biomaterials, Design.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This program gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgment and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the program able to apply its content professionally and with judgment. In short:
Grow mycelium composites on agricultural residues and turn them into compostable packaging, from strain choice to molding and testing.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: How Mycelium Binds Materials; Species and Substrate Selection.
- Put them into practice: Sterilization, Inoculation and Molding; Growth, Drying and Heat Inactivation.
- Apply everything to a real case: Mechanical and Moisture Testing; End of Life: Compostability and Standards.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your professor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Select fungal species and substrates suited to a packaging application.
- Prepare, inoculate and mold mycelium composites with low contamination.
- Control growth, drying and inactivation to obtain stable parts.
- Run basic compression and moisture tests and interpret the data.
- Assess compostability claims against relevant standards.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Designers, packaging engineers and makers.
4.2Entry requirements
No prior biology is needed; basic workshop experience helps. Students who want to grow samples at home need simple equipment such as a pressure cooker, containers and a clean workspace.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Materials technician at a mycelium packaging producer
- Sustainable packaging designer
- Packaging engineer evaluating bio-based alternatives
- Maker or small studio producing grown packaging
- Sustainability specialist in a consumer goods brand
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | How Mycelium Binds Materials | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Species and Substrate Selection | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Sterilization, Inoculation and Molding | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Growth, Drying and Heat Inactivation | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Mechanical and Moisture Testing | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | End of Life: Compostability and Standards | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- Hyphal networks as natural binders
- What the composite is made of
- Mycelium versus synthetic foams
- Ganoderma, Pleurotus and Trametes for materials
- Agricultural residues as substrates
- Particle size, nutrients and moisture
- Pasteurization and sterilization options
- Clean inoculation practice
- Designing and filling molds
- Controlling growth conditions
- Demoulding and secondary growth
- Drying and heat inactivation
- Compression and cushioning tests
- Water absorption and humidity
- Interpreting test results
- Home and industrial compostability
- Relevant packaging standards
- Communicating end-of-life honestly
5.3Company placement
This program does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A documented mycelium packaging prototype for a real product, including growth records, test results and an end-of-life assessment.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your professor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Assessment combines participation in live sessions, practical exercises documented with photos and data, and a final project reviewed by the professor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your professor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
The Biotechnology at Fungaris coordinates the content and quality of this program. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The professor of each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Accreditations are assessed according to the training completed and the local regulations of each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrollment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrollment for the intake starting on January 11, 2027 is open until January 4, 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: $450
- Full payment before the start: $360 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation ($180) and 3 monthly installments of $90.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organization. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the program and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for canceling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrollment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Mycelium Biomaterials & Packaging?
No prior biology is needed; basic workshop experience helps. Students who want to grow samples at home need simple equipment such as a pressure cooker, containers and a clean workspace.
How is Mycelium Biomaterials & Packaging taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Assessment combines participation in live sessions, practical exercises documented with photos and data, and a final project reviewed by the professor.
What is the final project?
A documented mycelium packaging prototype for a real product, including growth records, test results and an end-of-life assessment.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the program and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Accreditations are assessed according to the training completed and the local regulations of each country.
What can I study after Mycelium Biomaterials & Packaging?
The natural next step is Diploma in Mycelium Biomaterials.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This program does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Read before you start.
Keep branching.
Join the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly installments. All prices are stated in US dollars (USD).