MycoTile Panels
MycoTile

Solution Overview & Benefits
MycoTile is a Kenyan social enterprise that transforms agricultural by-products (e.g., sugarcane bagasse, coffee husks, maize cobs) into high-performance building materials by fermenting them with oyster mushroom mycelium. The result: lightweight insulation panels for walls, roofs, and even custom furniture or packaging that use 80% less water and 50% less energy to produce than conventional materials. Panels are fully compostable, non-toxic, and offer natural fire-retardant properties due to the chitin in fungal mycelium.
History & Development
Founded by Mtamu Kililo (CEO) and Bill Mwangi (Technical Director), MycoTile emerged from a desire to promote circular, locally sourced alternatives in construction materials. Originating in Nairobi, the team has piloted its panel product and secured partnerships—including an early scale with CrossBoundary Real Estate for the Mosaic development. The company collaborates with local farmers for raw material supply and aligns with Kenya’s focus on green economic opportunity.
Availability
- Available: Kenya
- Price: contact provider for pricing and bulk orders
Specifications
- Materials: Agricultural waste (sugarcane bagasse, coffee husks, corn cobs, etc.) bonded with oyster mushroom mycelium
- Production Process: Inoculation → growth in molds → heat treatment to deactivate fungus → final molding and drying
- Water savings: 80% less compared to conventional insulation
- Energy savings: 50% less during manufacturing
- Panel uses: Wall/roof insulation, custom furniture, accessories, and packaging
- Compostable: Panels are biodegradable and non-toxic
- Fire resistance: Naturally fire-retardant due to fungal chitin
Additional Information
- Pilot status: Panels used in informal housing pilot projects and by CrossBoundary Real Estate in Nairobi
- Circular model: Agri-waste sourced from local farmers feeds into the supply chain, creating green jobs
- Certifications & partners: Participated in MIT Solve; collaborating with KIRDI (Kenyan Industrial Research & Development Institute), Habitat for Humanity, and the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment
Similar solutions...
Get in Touch!
Get in touch with us by filling out the form or emailing us at contact@techxlab.org.
