Turning mycelium waste
into circular design
To drive the transition from fossil-based to circular materials, we developed Formill, a scalable, bio-based innovation made from mycelium-rich mushroom waste. In collaboration with designers and producers, we explored how this renewable material can replace plastics in interiors and unlock new value through circular design and local production networks.
BACKGROUND
There's an urgent need to move beyond fossil-based materials. In the Formill Initiative, we explored how a residual biomass from mushroom farming, rich in mycelium, could be transformed into a completely new bio-based material. The goal was to scale production of Formill, increase the value of this overlooked side-stream, and show how circular innovation can create real, low-impact alternatives for design and interiors.
CHALLENGE
As with many emerging materials, there was no ready value chain. Scaling Formill required both refining the raw material and setting up a decentralised production model through a network of craftspeople and artists. From logistics to process development, the challenge wasn't just technical, it was about building a flexible system that could handle both volume and creativity, without losing the material's circular potential.
SOLUTION
Formill was tested in several interior applications where partners shared a common ambition: to replace plastics with natural, tactile materials. The material's unique character also sparked creative exploration. From acoustic panels to artistic objects, the project served as a testing ground for circular design, bringing together diverse needs and ideas centred around one emerging biomaterial.
RESULT
Working from a roadmap for commercialisation, we bridged craft and entrepreneurship to bring Formill to life. By adding value through thoughtful design, we created a material that's both renewable and relevant. The concept proved that waste streams can be transformed into flexible, high-quality resources, ready to shape a more circular future.
KEY TAKE AWAYS
Understanding your raw materials is essential, especially when working with side streams. Properties can vary, so test early and quantify performance before making product decisions
Scalability means simplification. To bring circular materials to market, begin with a clear and focused process. Adapt to existing production methods and build upon them.
Co-develop with real needs in mind. Engage users early to align material properties with functional demands, sustainability targets, and scalable product opportunities.
WHY NONWOVEN?
Nonwoven is a sustainable solution for textile waste management.
Nonwoven technology offers an energy-efficient and versatile alternative for managing textile waste. It is less sensitive to fibre quality and can process even the most complex textile waste streams. By integrating various techniques, this approach enables the creation of new materials from secondary textile raw materials suitable for various applications.
the facts
The project was funded by Vinnova.
Partners: Formsson AB, The Loop Factory, Högskolan Halmstad, Fungigården AB, RISE, Lekolar AB, Massproductions Europe AB, Bejco AB, Jenny Nordberg AB, Note Design Studio AB, Kajsa Cramer AB, Hummeltorp Sverige AB
Need owners: Lekolar AB, Massproductions Europe AB, Bejco AB, Jenny Nordberg AB and Note Design Studio AB, Kajsa Cramer AB,
Solution owners: Formsson AB, The Loop Factory, Högskolan Halmstad, Fungigården AB, RISE and Hummeltorp Sverige AB
Period: 05/2022– 12/2024