Ecovative was founded in 2007 by two RPI graduates, Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyre. They started the company with nothing but a good idea to revolutionize the way materials are made. Shortly after founding the company, they won small grants from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA). This funding was used to create initial samples of the material. This proof of concept enabled the company to win bigger grants from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to further develop the products. Since then they've won a few more awards and grants that have enabled the company to continue to grow and accelerate toward production of these revolutionary eco-friendly materials.

Eben and Gavin were fascinated by mushrooms growing on wood chips, and observing how the fungal mycelium strongly bonded the wood chips together. This inspired them to think of new ways of using mycelium as a resin. In a class at Rensselaer, called Inventors Studio, they applied this new process for binding together insulating particles, creating Greensulate™. Rather than decreasing the environmental impact of conventional polystyrene foams, this invention creates a whole new paradigm where composite materials are literally grown, harnessing the incredible efficiency of nature.

Eventually we hope to replace all sorts of materials that are synthetic or energy intensive to produce. We envision a world where wind turbine blade cores, surfboard cores, cups, and other foam based products are produced using sustainable and natural alternatives, like Greensulate™.

Today we are facing the rapid depletion of nonrenewable resources. Everyone from farmers, to engineers, to designers, to builders are starting to realize that we have a finite amount of the resources that we can turn into plastics, foams and metals. We need to switch to not just renewable energy, but also renewable materials. Ecovative is leading the way to create truly sustainable materials which perform as well as the synthetics we use today.

No. We use fungal mycelium, which is basically the roots of mushrooms. The mycelium acts as a resin to bond agricultural byproducts together into a rigid material. We don't let the mycelium grow long enough to produce mushrooms. That means you never have to worry about spores or allergens.

Spread the word! Tell you're friends and colleagues how cool these revolutionary new materials are! Commit to using truly sustainable materials and products in your life, and be wary of greenwashing from companies claiming false or exaggerated environmental benefits. At this point we're looking for strategic partners for packaging, and demonstration projects for insulation. Contact us if your organization is interested in working with us.

Well, you could, and because it's all natural it wouldn't hurt you. But, it's non-nutritious and doesn't taste very good, so we don't recommend it.

No. Our process doesn't use any spores, and all the inputs are natural and safe.

EcoCradle™ is available now! Contact sales@ecovativedesign.com for more information.

Greensulate™ comes as rigid boards or bonded into Structural Insulating Panels (SIPs). It is not a loose-fill or blown-in insulator. It is installed just like regular rigid insulation.

No. The final step of our manufacturing process renders the material biologically inert. Greensulate™ comes in pre-formed slabs, and is not grown in your building.

Greensulate™ is similar to the 2x4 lumber in your walls. Although it is biodegradable, it will last for the life of your building if it's properly protected from flooding and supersaturation of water.

Pests and vermin are not an issue for Greensulate™. We use non-nutritional feedstocks that can't be fed to livestock and won't interest critters that might find their way into your building.

No. Our process doesn't use any spores, and all the inputs are natural and safe. Other types of insulation require installers to wear protective suits or respirators. However, Greensulate™ won't irritate your skin and is free of nasty chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Greensulate™ is far safer than synthetic foams. In fact we've got a class-A fire rating. You can hold a blow torch up to Greensulate™ and it won't catch on fire! Here's a video to prove it. Most of the petro-chemical based foams we replace just meet minimum fire requirements, and will release noxious fumes when they burn. Other insulations that are marketed as being 'green' like cellulose insulation, made from recycled newspaper, are treated with large quantities of bromides and other fire-resisting chemicals.

Ecovative is currently performing research and development on our insulating composite. We are working to meet ASTM and International Building Code compliance for Greensulate™ organic insulation. Material optimization and compliance testing will occur throughout 2009, with a commercially available insulation product targeted for mid-2010.  Ecovative is actively seeking strategic partners for demonstration projects and to aid in the commercialization of the various construction products that incorporate Greensulate™ organic insulation.

Ecovative is committed to a triple bottom line. We aim to deliver a product that is environmentally and socially superior at a lower cost. Greensulate™ organic insulation is produced using a feedstock of agricultural byproducts. These feed stocks have very few other uses and are not considered food products. Additionally, the fabrication of a Greensulate™ does not require significant heat, or any light or petroleum, and this helps us keep our manufacturing and overheard costs low. Current cost projections show Greensulate™ being very cost competitive with traditional foams.