GROWN bio
GROWN bio is a Dutch biotechnology company that grows 100% home- and marine-compostable mycelium-and-hemp packaging as a carbon-negative replacement for EPS/Styrofoam, serving industrial, luxury, cosmetics, and consumer DIY customers across Europe.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersHilversum, Netherlands
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What GROWN bio does
GROWN bio is a Netherlands-based biotechnology company founded in 2016 that designs and manufactures mycelium-based protective packaging as a sustainable alternative to expanded polystyrene (EPS/Styrofoam). Its proprietary MycoComposite™ material combines mycelium — the root structure of fungi — with organic agricultural waste fibers (primarily hemp) sourced locally; the substrate is grown in custom molds for 5 days in a controlled environment and then dried for 2 days to halt growth, yielding a 100% home- and marine-compostable, carbon-negative composite (–1.3 kg CO₂e per kg of packaging, validated by Climate Impact Forecast methodology). The company positions its material for biological circularity rather than technical recycling, with a Material Circularity Indicator of approximately 0.94 versus a 0.46 maximum for EPS.
The product portfolio spans Mushroom® Packaging variants (Protective, Luxury, Industrial, Insulating), the simplified ONE4 Packaging line, a Grow It Yourself (GIY) consumer kit, and mycelium-based interior design items such as lamp shades. Customers include cosmetics brand Haeckels, candle maker Amen Candles, and home-appliance brand auum, with primary end markets in industrial shipping, luxury and premium goods, cosmetics and personal care, food and beverage, and consumer hobbyists. The company sells through direct e-commerce (grown.bio/shop) and B2B direct sales for custom solutions, shipping climate-neutrally via UPS across Europe and to the United Kingdom; pricing is quote-based for custom B2B orders and unit-based for standard catalog and GIY products.
GROWN bio operates a single manufacturing facility in Heerewaarden, Netherlands (with the company also listed in Hilversum) under CEO Jan Berbee, with 1-10 employees and no disclosed external funding. Its recognition includes the German Sustainability Award 2023, KVK Innovatie Top 100 2021, and the All-in Werkgeversprijs 2022 inclusive-employer award. Distribution is currently limited to a handful of European countries, and production economics — including a recent doubling of capacity and a 50% cost reduction — remain in active improvement as the company scales ahead of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) compliance deadline in August 2026.
GROWN bio firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GROWN bio
- Legal name
- GROWN bio
- Website
- https://grown.bio
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- GROWN bio is a Dutch biotechnology company that grows 100% home- and marine-compostable mycelium-and-hemp packaging as a carbon-negative replacement for EPS/Styrofoam, serving industrial, luxury, cosmetics, and consumer DIY customers across Europe.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GROWN bio industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sustainable Protective Packaging
- NAICS
- Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing (326)
- SIC
- Plastics Products, Nec (3089), Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) (2820)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Sustainable Protective & Cushioning Materials (Paper Cushions, Bio-Foams, Mycelium) (IMALAMAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Biodegradable Packaging Materials (films, trays, foams) (IMAEAOAB), Compostable Materials & Certified Compostables (IMAEAOAC)
Keywords
Where GROWN bio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hilversum
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
GROWN bio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom Mycelium Packaging Products: GROWN bio grows and sells custom-shaped mycelium packaging to businesses for protecting their products during shipping. Products include protective packaging, luxury packaging, and industrial packaging. Pricing is competitive at scale and serves as an alternative to EPS/Styrofoam.
- Standard Packaging Catalog: Pre-designed standard packaging products available through their e-commerce shop, including corner protection, insulators, and custom shapes. Sold directly to businesses and consumers.
- Grow It Yourself (GIY) Kits: DIY kits containing mycelium substrate and instructions allowing consumers to grow their own mycelium products at home. Includes educational materials, growth forms, and modeling powder. Offered as samples for testing and creative projects.
- Mycelium Interior Products: Decorative and functional interior products made from mycelium, such as lamp shades and design pieces, sold through the shop.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Samples for testing and evaluation |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard catalog products |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Custom packaging solutions |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
GROWN bio product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GROWN bio grows and sells custom-shaped protective packaging made from mycelium (mushroom root structure) combined with organic agricultural waste fibers (primarily hemp). The material is grown in molds over 5 days, then oven-dried for 2 days to halt growth, producing 100% home and marine compostable, carbon-negative packaging as a direct replacement for EPS/Styrofoam. They offer protective, luxury, industrial, and insulating packaging variants, plus a DIY Grow It Yourself (GIY) kit for consumers.
Product overview
GROWN bio offers a portfolio of mycelium-based packaging products centered on its proprietary MycoComposite™ material technology. The core offering is Mushroom® Packaging, which includes Protective, Luxury, Industrial, and Insulating packaging variants—all grown from mycelium combined with hemp agricultural waste fibers. The ONE4 Packaging line provides simplified standard solutions. Complementary offerings include the Grow It Yourself (GIY) Kit for DIY enthusiasts and Interiors for architectural applications. The company also sells Standard Packaging and Samples through its online shop. All products are 100% home and marine compostable, carbon-negative, and serve as direct replacements for EPS/Styrofoam packaging.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Mushroom® Packaging: 100% compostable protective packaging made from mycelium and agricultural waste fibers. Suitable for home and marine composting.
- MycoComposite™
- ONE4 Packaging
- Grow It Yourself (GIY)
Products and services
- Mushroom® Packaging (Mycelium Packaging) 100% home and marine compostable protective packaging grown from mycelium combined with hemp agricultural waste fibers; carbon-negative direct replacement for EPS/Styrofoam used across protective, luxury, industrial and insulating variants.
- Protective Packaging Impact-resistant mycelium packaging designed to protect products during shipping for consumer goods, electronics and fragile items.
- Luxury Packaging Premium mycelium-based packaging solutions for luxury brands, offering sustainable aesthetics with velvet texture finish for perfumes, cosmetics and high-end products.
- Industrial Packaging Heavy-duty mycelium packaging for industrial applications, protecting large or heavy items while maintaining sustainability benefits.
- Insulating Packaging Mycelium-based packaging with thermal insulation properties for temperature-sensitive products such as wine, spirits and seafood during transit.
- ONE4 Packaging A specialized mycelium packaging product line offering simplified, standardized protective packaging solutions.
- Grow It Yourself (GIY) Kit DIY kit containing mycelium substrate, growth forms and modeling powder with instructions allowing consumers to grow their own mycelium products at home.
- Interiors Decorative and functional interior design products made from mycelium-based materials, including items such as lamp shades.
- Standard Packaging Pre-designed, standard-format mycelium packaging products (e.g., corner protection, insulators, custom shapes) available for purchase through the online shop.
Companies that use GROWN bio
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
GROWN bio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
GROWN bio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- University of GentminorGROWN bio participated in the ESCIB-project (European Scientific Committee for... Impact Building) where the University of Gent applied the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) methodology to compare their mycelium packaging against EPS. This research collaboration validated the environmental performance claims of their products through academic methodology.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
GROWN bio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
GROWN bio social profiles
Digital presenceGROWN bio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GROWN bio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
GROWN bio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GROWN bio M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about GROWN bio
What does GROWN bio do?
GROWN bio grows and sells custom-shaped protective packaging made from mycelium (mushroom root structure) combined with organic agricultural waste fibers (primarily hemp). The material is grown in molds over 5 days, then oven-dried for 2 days to halt growth, producing 100% home and marine compostable, carbon-negative packaging as a direct replacement for EPS/Styrofoam. They offer protective, luxury, industrial, and insulating packaging variants, plus a DIY Grow It Yourself (GIY) kit for consumers.
Is GROWN bio a public or private company?
GROWN bio is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was GROWN bio founded?
GROWN bio was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is GROWN bio based?
GROWN bio is headquartered in Hilversum, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does GROWN bio make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Custom Mycelium Packaging Products are the primary driver. The others are standard Packaging Catalog, grow It Yourself (GIY) Kits and mycelium Interior Products.
Does GROWN bio have an API?
No public API is recorded for GROWN bio.
What industry is GROWN bio in?
GROWN bio's product category is Sustainable Protective Packaging. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALAMAH, Sustainable Protective & Cushioning Materials (Paper Cushions, Bio-Foams, Mycelium), with a secondary code of IMAEAOAB, Biodegradable Packaging Materials (films, trays, foams). Its NAICS code is 326 and its SIC code is 3089.