Permafungi, a new start-up founded by Jacquet, has proposed its fully biodegradable ‘myco-material’ as a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to various polluting plastics and polystyrene. During the latest tour of the site, the Jacquet told visitors that this myco material was discovered and created for hotels. Around this pitch, the profitability criteria remain unchanged as the new start-up's main goal is profit.
To date, Permafungi has been a niche player, designing custom packaging for high-end soap makers. The company, with 12 employees, has built an incredible reputation and recognition in the green economy in Brussels. Jacquet’s efforts have led the way in recycling grounds from local coffee shops to cultivate edible mushrooms over the past years. And now, with this new start-up, the company is transforming to become a competitive player in the packaging sector.
Jacquet is highly conscious of conventional packaging, which is mostly made from petroleum-based materials and shipped from far-flung corners of the world. Jacquet's main vision is to bridge the gap between the user and packaging using mushrooms sourced from the Sonian Forest, famous in the southern part of the Belgian capital. To turn this vision into a mission, Permafungi is the first point of focus, aiming to recover waste materials, such as sawdust, generated by old industries.
After recovery, the waste material is shaped, and mycelium, the root-like fungal part, takes over. It consumes the waste and grows into any desired shape. For example, the tofu-like soft mass is dried, molded, and served.
Permafungi has been granted 2 million euros in EU funding, with strong support from various regions. The start-up also reserved its one million euros from the Apres-Demain, a Swiss private equity fund run by Thierry Mauvernay, a pharmaceutical billionaire.
One of the start-up's managers, Sebastien Beth, said, “The fund wants to contribute to the sincere impact-driven industries that consider and use local resources in the best environmental way.”
The company is taking a step ahead to extend its new production line with the sustainable packaging option, with the new leading partnership holding the winning position. Candle-making and watch brand companies are the ones to embark on a profitable, sustainable journey with Permafungi.
26 January 2026
26 January 2026
23 January 2026
23 January 2026