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Growing a Circular Economy with Fungal Biotechnology: A White Paper

Summary

This research explores how fungi can help create a more sustainable economy by transforming waste materials into valuable products. Fungi are remarkable organisms that can break down organic matter and create new materials, foods, and chemicals in an environmentally friendly way. Impact on everyday life: – Production of meat alternatives and sustainable protein sources – Creation of new biodegradable materials to replace plastics – More efficient recycling of agricultural and forestry waste – Development of new medicines and industrial chemicals – Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through bio-based manufacturing

Background

Fungi have the ability to transform organic materials into diverse useful products and provide opportunities for addressing urgent global challenges. Fungal biotechnology can help transition from a petroleum-based economy to a bio-based circular economy by sustainably producing food, feed, chemicals, fuels, textiles, and materials for various industries. This technology offers solutions for securing food supply while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Objective

This white paper, resulting from the 2nd Think Tank meeting of the EUROFUNG consortium in Berlin in October 2019, aims to highlight current opportunities and research challenges in fungal biotechnology. It seeks to inform scientists, educators, the public, industrial stakeholders and policymakers about the ongoing fungal biotech revolution.

Results

The paper identifies multiple promising applications of fungal biotechnology including production of enzymes, organic acids, antibiotics, meat alternatives, novel biomaterials, and solutions for plastic degradation. It outlines how fungal biotechnology can contribute to 10 of 17 UN sustainable development goals through circular bioeconomy approaches.

Conclusion

Fungal biotechnology offers significant potential for transitioning to a sustainable, resource-efficient circular economy. Success requires improved research tools, standardization, community coordination, and strategic infrastructure development. Stronger collaboration between scientists, engineers, designers and industry stakeholders will be crucial for innovative breakthroughs.
  • Published in:Fungal Biology and Biotechnology,
  • Study Type:Review,
  • Source: 10.1186/s40694-020-00095-z
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