EuroMycel is excited to announce the launch of their brand new website! Browse through for detailed information on their history, philosophy, and Mycelium varieties. Discover their production process, product creation, and meet their team. Today you get a sneak peek into EuroMycel’s journey.

Story of EuroMycel
Established in 1868, Royal Champignon pioneered the Loire Valley's mushroom industry. After merging with Guilbaud Group, EuroMycel, once a Guilbaud Group subsidiary and now part of France Champignon, became a key historical spawn maker.

The group has grown since the 1950s through external expansion, allowing for innovation capacity in product development to distribution. EuroMycel has acquired impressive expertise and a unique strain collection, which has resulted in a distinctive "savoir-faire."

Philosophy
EuroMycel believes that genetics of Agaricus bisporus does not limit biotransformation. They use a unique physiological conditioning process on their commercial sub lines to maximize mushroom compost. Their approach is different from standard breeding strategies as their varieties are based on biochemical markers in the vegetative phase.

Mushroom Spawn
The company's unique strain maintenance relies on mycelium interaction with compost to provide reliable spawn products with consistent pinning performances. They have a deep knowledge of fungal physiology and use a specific step-by-step vegetative screening process combined with strict water control to optimize selectivity. They enhance the absorption capacity of the spawn through a sophisticated physical measurement process, critical for the bio-transformation in compost and crop growth. This process also enables strain differentiation.

Discover more about their expertises on https://www.euromycel.com 
Contact their team via https://www.euromycel.com/contact

ChampFood International is excited to share some recent developments, including the introduction of Luc Baltussen to their sales team. Luc joined the company on May 1st, bringing with him a wealth of experience in supply and logistics management. He made an impressive start by participating in the mushroom days, where he had the opportunity to meet ChampFood relations and industry colleagues in person. Luc's knowledge and skills have made him a valuable addition to the Sales Support department.

Alongside Luc's arrival, ChampFood has also welcomed four other new members to their team, showcasing their strategic investment in the company's future.

These new team members, all under the age of 30, will contribute their unique perspectives and energy to various departments such as production, finance, office management, and purchasing. ChampFood is pleased with their decision to join their company, as they believe investing in young professionals is vital for sustained success.

This picture shows the new team members:
From left to right top row: Aniek Voesten and Ramon Coenen
From left to right bottom row: Luc Baltussen and Remco Sleutels.

In recent years, ChampFood has experienced the retirement of several employees, with more expected in the coming years. This natural transition has presented them with an opportunity to infuse their workforce with fresh talent. Luc and the four new colleagues will help ensure a seamless transition and contribute to their ongoing growth and innovation. ChampFood recognizes the importance of nurturing the next generation of professionals within the mushroom industry.

For more updates please visit: ttps://www.champfood.com/ or follow the company page on LinkedIn: "champfood international"

The move comes at a time when the horticulture industry looks to accelerate its automation efforts to benefit Canadian growers.

Vineland Research and Innovation Centre (Vineland) has announced the transfer of its patented robotic mushroom harvesting technology to Mycionics, a Canadian agtech company located in Putnam, Ontario.

The move comes at a time when the horticulture industry looks to accelerate its automation efforts to benefit Canadian growers with Vineland uniquely positioned to contribute, given its innovative technology portfolio.

Under the terms of the agreement, Vineland’s intellectual property will be incorporated into Mycionics patent portfolio as they commercialize their mobile robotic harvesting system.

Please read the full article here.
Source: Greenhouse Canada

The purchase brings Ecovative greater global vertical integration as it expands international production of mycelium materials in fashion, packaging, and food.

Ecovative acquires Lambert Europa Spawn and Substrate facility in the Netherlands, expanding global reach for the company's patented mycelium technologies to more than 5 continents.

GREEN ISLAND, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ecovative, the world's leading mycelium technology company, today announced the purchase of Lambert Spawn Europa B.V., a state-of-the-art mushroom spawn production facility in the Netherlands, from a subsidiary of Pennsylvania-based Lambert Spawn Company. The purchase vertically integrates a major source of mushroom substrate — mixtures of raw agricultural products inoculated with specialized mushroom strains — within the operations of the world's premier developer of mycelium materials and products. The new line of supply will enable and support Ecovative's consistent and rapid expansion internationally and across all categories as both a producer and supplier to other mycelium companies.

Under Ecovative's ownership, the facility will continue producing spawn to serve its list of existing clients, including mushroom growers and producers of mycelium materials. It will also produce proprietary blends of substrate used to grow mycelium materials. These materials support Ecovative's Forager™ and Mushroom™ Packaging divisions, as well as My™Forest Foods and its popular My™Bacon, alongside a growing list of licensee companies. Forager will use the substrate to supply natural mycelium materials for the fashion and apparel industries, such as leather-like hides and high performance foams, and Mushroom Packaging will use the substrate to produce composite materials used to replace plastic foam packaging.

"Ecovative is committed to providing the world's best mycelium technologies," says Eben Bayer, Ecovative's CEO and co-founder. "We're working closely with Lambert and the facility's incredible team of industry professionals to continue providing existing clients with the same quality products they know and love. This acquisition also positions our company to ensure the highest quality of feedstock for a wide range of new mycelium materials, enabling the best possible products and the capacity to supply our quickly growing global network of customers and licensees as they continue to expand over the coming years."

"We are proud of the state-of-the-art facility we built in Venlo, and the team we gathered to operate it," says Scott McIntyre, Executive Vice President and Co-Owner of Lambert Spawn. "Since collaborating with Ecovative, it has become clear that they are the ideal team with the right expertise of stewarding the facility and caring for its customers, while also creating exciting new opportunities as Lambert continues to focus on serving and growing our North American markets. The Lambert name was built on quality and innovation, and we are glad that Ecovative will bring this same commitment to Lambert Spawn Europa, for everyone's continued success."

The Netherlands-based team and facility will continue to produce the same high quality spawn and substrate, servicing existing mushroom growers and new clients, serving markets in Europe, Middle East, Africa, and South America. The facility employs 17 people, and is capable of producing approximately 20 million pounds of spawn and substrate per year, with the capacity to grow significantly in the near future.

Ecovative already operates the largest production plant for mycelium materials in the world, at its base of operations in Green Island, New York. The acquisition of Lambert Spawn Europa makes it possible to supply high-quality raw materials and mycelium strains to a global network of customers and licensees, in addition to the company's own brands. It also reflects an ongoing investment in the mycelium materials supply chain, the use of existing infrastructure whenever possible, and a big step toward full vertical integration that positions Ecovative as the global leader in scaled supply of high quality raw materials for the emerging, fast-growing mycelium technology industry.

About Ecovative:

Ecovative is a materials science company unlocking the natural potential of mycelium with modern technology. Founded in 2007, Ecovative’s mission is to create next generation materials through mycelium biofabrication and to make mycelium materials accessible to everyone. Leveraging its Mycelium Foundry, Ecovative works with partners throughout the textiles, food and packaging industries to grow better materials for everyday needs. To learn more, visit http://www.ecovative.com.

About Lambert:

The L.F. Lambert Spawn Company was established in 1919. Our founder, Louis Lambert was a pioneer in many mushroom spawn manufacturing techniques. Headquartered in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Lambert has been a staple name in the mushroom industry for over a century. Ownership of the company has changed several times during the company's history, with the McIntyre family proudly at the helm since 1991. The same innovative spirit and dedication to quality continue to be the cornerstones of our business principles to this day.
Contacts

Media Contact:
Lacey Davidson
Marketing Director at Ecovative
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AURORA, Colo., March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MycoTechnology, Inc., the world's leading explorer of mushroom mycelia, has set its sights on achieving global scale and realizing its innovation pipeline after securing a funding injection of $85 million. The recently concluded Series E fundraise represents the Colorado-based company's largest single round of financing since it was established in 2013, bringing total fundraising to-date to more than $200 million.

This new investment will allow MycoTechnology to further capitalize on its proprietary fermentation platform, continuing to impact food and nutrition around the world. The company is now positioned to bring its unique product portfolio to even more consumers globally, with a focus on expanding in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

The Series E round was led by a group affiliated with the Oman Investment Authority (OIA), a sovereign wealth fund and first-time investor in the business. Their sights are set on major collaborations around food security and sustainability. In addition to OIA, the Series E funding round attracted several new investors, including Nourish Ventures (Griffith Foods' venture capital group), Rage Capital, Alphacy Investment, and Siddhi Capital. Also contributing were returning investors S2G Ventures, Tyson Ventures, Continental Grain Company, Bunge Ventures, Maple Leaf Foods, Evolution VC Partners, and Gaingels.

Please read the full article here.

Source: CISION PR Newwire, news provided by MycoTechnology, Inc

A Gisborne entrepreneur will soon open the region’s first “zero waste, grow your own mushroom” business that focuses on reusing waste products.

Mariska Van Gaalen is the founder of Mushroom Zero Waste an initiative that reuses plastic containers and waste materials to grow mushrooms in a sustainable way.

She says that for her to start a business meant being responsible for the entire life cycle of the product, and avoiding the production of any additional waste.

Ms Van Gaalen uses plastic containers collected from a restaurant to hold unused wooden shavings, coffee grounds and mycelium — the fungus — to grow native oyster mushrooms.

Please read the full article here.

Source: Gisborneherald, by Avneesh Vincent

Researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences have developed a robotic mechanism for mushroom picking and trimming and demonstrated its effectiveness for the automated harvesting of button mushrooms.

In a new study, the prototype, which is designed to be integrated with a machine vision system, showed that it is capable of both picking and trimming mushrooms growing in a shelf system.

The research is consequential, according to lead author Professor Long He, because the mushroom industry has been facing labour shortages and rising labour costs. Mechanical or robotic picking can help alleviate those problems.

Please read the full article here.
Source: E&T Engineering and Technology

The mushroom is booming and not only in the kitchen. A lot of developments and innovations are being picked up. From mushroom supplements, coffee, bricks to a real mushroom burial suit.

Maybe it is not a subject we would like to talk about much, but this innovation could be a great starting point. Talking about earth, environmental challenges and how we as humans can contribute to it. Reuniting the body with the earth and the ongoing cycle of life, how impressive is that.

Read more on this initiative and background on the mushroom burial suit here!

Family business Mush Comb from Horst celebrates 25th anniversary

1 January 2021 marks the 25th anniversary of the Horst-based company Mush Comb! What better time to shine the spotlight on this successful family-owned business!

Global leader

On New Year’s Day 1996, Jeu Holtermans started his own business - Mush Comb. In repairing and selling second-hand machines, he succeeded in identifying and filling a gap in the market for mushroom culture. In 2004, his 21-year-old son Bob joined the family business team, and in 2007 they decided to reinvent and refocus the business. Since then, the company has focused on producing new and innovative cutting-edge machines. The new business strategy demanded a major investment, but the benefits soon became apparent. The company’s revenues have quadrupled since 2007, and the family business has developed into a world leader in supplying innovative high-quality machines.

Please read their full article here.

We congratulate Mush Comb and wish them lots of succesful and innovating years to come!

Designer Nina Bruun shapes biotech firm Grown's mushroom-based material for the safe carriage of Astep lighting.

One of the key aims of Wallpaper* Re-Made is to re-think the way we consume, and packaging is a crucial link in this story. Last year, a chat with Alessandro Sarfatti led to a discussion about what he perceived to be an important problem. Coming from a family of lighting experts (he is the grandson of design legend Gino Sarfatti, of Arteluce, see W* 218 and son of Luceplan founder Riccardo Sarfatti), and founder of a lighting brand himself, he is well aware of the amount of plastic needed to transport lighting pieces.

Sarfatti, who used to be CEO of Luceplan, founded Astep in 2014, intent on creating lighting products with contemporary designs and innovative technologies to improve our domestic experience and quality of life.

Please read the full article here.

Photography: Mikkel Vigholt Petersen
Writer: Rosa Bertoli