A Nairobi-based company, MycoTile, is producing sustainable building panels from mushroom mycelium and agricultural waste, offering an eco-friendly and lower-cost alternative to traditional brick and mortar. The panels, used for roof and wall insulation, cost roughly two-thirds of standard materials while providing comparable quality, according to homeowners.
© Mycostories
The company produces nearly 3,600 square yards of panels monthly. One street vendor paid $208 for panels for her 161-square-foot home, highlighting the affordability of the approach in a city facing a housing deficit of at least 2 million units. MycoTile's founder, Mtamu Kililo, emphasises that the product not only reduces construction costs but also lowers the carbon footprint due to its biodegradable composition.
Kenyan authorities are supporting local innovation in decarbonising construction, granting MycoTile access to machinery at the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute. The company also repurposes around 250 tons of agricultural waste annually, further reducing environmental impact.
The idea originated from Kililo's research in Rwanda, where he observed mushroom substrates resembling brick. Since then, he has scaled production commercially, demonstrating the potential for fungi-based materials to address Nairobi's housing shortage while promoting sustainable construction practices.
Source: www.latimes.com
