Young Italians invent biomaterial

(ANSA) - Milan, April 21 - Engineers at young Italian start-up Mycoplast have developed a water- and fire-resistant new material that is light as styrofoam and 100% compostable, sources said Tuesday.
    The new bio-material - called Mogu, which is Chinese for mushroom - comes from mushrooms that have been "fed" on farm and food waste.
    "Mogu utilizes (waste such as) sawdust, coffee grinds, and tomato skin," project director Federico Maria Grati explained.
    The Mycoplast team presented Mogu design objects and eco-friendly oil and wine packaging to Italian and foreign investors at the BioInItaly Investment Forum & Intesa San Paolo Start-Up Initiative in Milan.