Mycotech, a Start-up by ITB Alumni that Uses Organic Materials as Building Materials
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id – Departing from an idea on environmentally friendly business, Alumni of Institut Teknologi Bandung develop a start-up that engages in innovation of agriculture waste recycle as building material. The start-up is named Mycotech and was founded by Adi Reza Nugroho, Robbi Zidna Ilman, Ronaldiaz Hartantyo, Arekha Bentang — all of whom graduated from ITB — and Annisa Wibi Ismarlanti who graduated from Unpad.
Robbi explained that the idea for the business comes from Growbox, which is a growing media made of mushroom that has been developed since 2012. After that, they began studies of mushroom-made growing media for use as building material. Then, Mycotech was established.
Mycotech is a start-up that create environmentally friendly composite materials and skin. Because the materials are recycles of agriculture wastes, the wastes used contain cellulose, such as sawdust, empty fruit bunches, palms, sugarcane pulp, and others. The product also uses natural adhesives obtained from mycelium fungus.
“[It is] based on architectural knowledge we learnt in university. Also, we know that most building materials are gained from harmful exploitation to soil, while at the same time tons of agricultural wastes are left unprocessed,” Robbi said.
Mycotech has two types of products, Biobo and Mylea. Biobo is decorative panels for interior walls, while Mylea is skin materials for journals, shoes, wallets, bags, watches, and other fashion products.
Mycotech is successfully funded by Kickstarter, a renowned global crowd-funding platform. Mycotech’s products are now marketed in Batam, Bali, Bandung, and Jakarta. In addition, Mycotech’s products are also marketed to international markets such as in Singapore, Korea, Germany, and other countries through Kickstarter.
Mycotech also encourages community to be aware of the impact of environmentally harmful products. Mycotech believes that preserving the nature and keeping it beautiful is everyone’s duty.
The start-up, which was established four years ago, has earned many achievements. They won the second place in Wirausaha Muda Mandiri 2015, the second place in Shell Live Wire World Innovation Awards 2016, the third place in GIST Demo Day GIST Initiative, and the second place in Wienerberger CBME Innovation Day 2018.
For the future improvements, Robbi aims to supply Mylea materials to renowned brands and sell Biobo to more places in the world. “I also hope that people get more familiar with renewable materials and be more aware of the surrounding need,” concluded Robbi, who serves as Chief Operating Officer of Mycotech.
Reporter: Evita Sonny (Management 2018)
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