Ilze Irbe^1,*, Laura Andze¹, Inese Filipova^1,2

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.13, No.11, pp. 2139-2154, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0107 - 24 November 2025

Abstract Growing environmental concerns and the need for sustainable alternatives to synthetic materials have led to increased interest in bio-based composites. This study investigates the development and characterization of sustainable egg packaging waste (EPW) biocomposites derived from recycled wood fibers and fungal mycelium filaments as a natural binder. Three formulations were prepared using EPW as the primary substrate, with and without the addition of hemp shives and sawdust as co-substrates. The composites were evaluated for granulometry, density, mechanical strength, hygroscopic behavior, thermal conductivity, and fire performance using cone calorimetry. Biocomposites, composed exclusively of egg packaging waste,… More >

Alehegn Atalay Birlie^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.13, No.9, pp. 1783-1802, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0039 - 22 September 2025

Abstract This study explores vegan leather, an eco-friendly substitute for conventional animal-derived leather. Using materials like polyurethane, pineapple leaves, cork, and recycled plastics, vegan leather aims to transform the fashion industry and consumer products while addressing environmental concerns. Despite its advantages, challenges related to availability and durability persist. The booming market for vegan leather is expected to reach billions of dollars, reflecting a broader societal shift towards sustainable and cruelty-free alternatives. The review traces the historical development of vegan leather from its origins in Germany to modern innovations like Mylo and Piñatex. By comparing these materials More >

Tanyawan Suwandecha¹, Supachai Pisuchpen^2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.11, pp. 1811-1836, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.056334 - 22 November 2024

Abstract This study investigated the development of mycelium-based biofoams as sustainable cushioning materials using Pleurotus ostreatus and Lentinus squarrosulus, combined with different sawdust substrates, and subjected to various pressing methods. The results indicated significant effects of mushroom species, sawdust type, and pressing method on the properties of biofoams. Growth rate, morphology, chemical composition, physical and mechanical properties, water resistance, and cushioning factor were evaluated. The results indicated that Lentinus squarrosulus (LS) exhibited faster growth rates (up to 14.37 mm/day) and produced biofoams with superior properties compared to Pleurotus ostreatus (PO). Core wood (CW) sawdust generally resulted in biofoams with lower… More > Graphic Abstract

Liling Kang¹, Yuejun He^1,*, Lipeng Zang¹, Jianpeng Si¹, Ying Yang¹, Kaiping Shen¹, Tingting Xia¹, Qiyu Tan¹, Bangli Wu¹, Yun Guo¹, Wei Wang², Qin Liang³

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.90, No.3, pp. 701-717, 2021, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2021.014740 - 30 March 2021

Abstract Arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) fungi affect nutrient uptake for host plants, while it is unclear how AM fungi interacting with soil litter affect plant growth and nutrient utilization through mycorrhizal networks in karst soil of deficient nutrients beyond the rhizosphere. An experiment was conducted in a microcosm composed of a planting compartment for Cinnamomum camphora seedlings with or without Glomus mosseae fungus (M⁺ vs. M⁻ ) and an adjacent litter compartment containing or not containing additional litter material of Arthraxon hispidus (L⁺ vs. L⁻ ), where the compartments are connected either by nylon mesh of 20 μm or 0.45 μm which either… More >

Zinta Zimele^1,*, Ilze Irbe², Juris Grinins², Oskars Bikovens², Anrijs Verovkins², Diana Bajare¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.8, No.9, pp. 1067-1076, 2020, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2020.09646 - 03 August 2020

Abstract Novel mycelium-based biocomposites (MBB) were obtained from local agricultural (hemp shives) and forestry (wood chips) by-products which were bounded together with natural growth of fungal mycelium. As a result, hemp mycocomposites (HMC) and wood mycocomposites (WMC) were manufactured. Mechanical, water absorption and biodegradation properties of MBB were investigated. MBB were characterized also by ash content and elemental composition. The results of MBB were compared with the reference materials such as the commercial MBB material manufactured by Ecovative^® Design (EV), hemp magnesium oxychloride concrete (HC) and cemented wood wool panel (CW), manufactured by CEWOOD^®. The mechanical properties… More >