Stanhope Seta Ltd, a UK-based manufacturer of Quality Control test equipment, has announced its transition from conventional packaging material to the latest Biodegradable material based around mycelium - the root-like structure under a mushroom. The new, bio-compostable material, licensed from inventors Ecovative Design LLC by Sealed Air and known as Restore, is grown into custom shapes that exactly fit the components being packed. Once used, the waste packaging is 100% compostable and presents no environmental impact.
Stanhope Seta will be the first company in Europe to adopt this revolutionary packing material for commercial shipments. The manufacturer has until relied on conventional cardboard and foam based packaging materials.
In summer 2014 the company commenced a project to convert packing key product lines to a more environmentally friendly system. The first product selected was a test kit sent to customers on a monthly basis. The existing packaging solution used a combination of cardboard and foam to ensure safe delivery – the key being not to break the two small glass bottles supplied with each kit. Working with Sealed Air, a tool was designed and the mycelium grown to fill the tool. Samples were then sent to a number of customers to ensure that the solution provided enough protection for the glass.
Restore material comes about through combining mycelium with agricultural waste, which it binds into a strong composite offering high performance cushioning. It grows within its mould in the space of five days, after which it is heat-treated in order to halt growth. In the first instance Sealed Air will be 'farming' the packaging in the USA but the intention is to move production to Europe and to use local sources of waste as a feedstock.
“The Restore material is a real breakthrough in packaging," remarked project manager Ingrid Barlebo-Larsen. "We can now grow custom packaging material for our range of instruments, which gives us better packing and importantly the solution has no environmental impact.” Stanhope Seta is now committed to the migration of more products to this unique and innovative packaging solution - indeed director Giles Verity has made it known that has grown his own cucumbers this summer using the off-cuts.
