A Review of Mycelium Bio-Composites as Energy-Efficient Sustainable Building Materials

Sina Motamedi, Daniel R. Rousse () and Geoffrey Promis
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Sina Motamedi: Research Group in Energy Technologies and Energy Efficiency (t3e), École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS), Université du Québec, Montreal, QC H3C 1K3, Canada
Daniel R. Rousse: Research Group in Energy Technologies and Energy Efficiency (t3e), École de Technologie Supérieure (ÉTS), Université du Québec, Montreal, QC H3C 1K3, Canada
Geoffrey Promis: Innovative Technologies Laboratory (LTI), University of Picardie Jules Verne, 80025 Amiens, France

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-32

Abstract: The increasing demand for sustainable building solutions has directed attention toward bio-based materials, among which mycelium bio-composites (MBCs) have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional insulation materials. Grown from fungal mycelium and lignocellulosic waste, MBCs offer low embodied energy, biodegradability, and effective hygrothermal performance. This review assesses the current state of the art in MBC fabrication and hygrothermal properties, encompassing both laboratory-scale and industrial methods. MBCs demonstrate thermal conductivity values in the range of 0.036–0.06 W·m −1 ·K −1 , moisture buffering capacity comparable to plant-fiber composites, and up to 70% lower embodied carbon than conventional materials. Key challenges are identified, including process standardization, scalability, and durability under real-world conditions. These composites also offer moisture buffering, compostability, and design flexibility. Moreover, recent advancements in additive manufacturing and microstructural optimization suggest a path toward broader adoption of MBCs in construction. By highlighting critical technical and scientific developments, this review identifies targeted research priorities, including the development of standardized fabrication protocols, quantitative lifecycle assessment of MBCs across varying climates, and strategies to scale up production while maintaining mechanical and hygrothermal consistency.

Keywords: mycelium bio-composites; low thermal conductivity; energy efficiency; high moisture buffering; bio-based construction; hygrothermal performance; low embodied carbon; net-zero carbon materials (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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