A Danish startup is shaking up the construction industry’s heavy reliance on carbon-intensive materials. Visibuilt, established in 2023, has introduced a groundbreaking alternative to traditional cement and concrete. Their innovation involves creating pavers cultivated directly from the intricate root network of fungi.
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This bio-based advancement has the potential to reduce the environmental footprint associated with our modern infrastructure dramatically. By harnessing natural processes, Visibuilt offers a sustainable path forward, addressing concerns about CO2 emissions and resource depletion that have long plagued conventional building practices.
From fungus to foundation
At the core of Visibuilt’s technology is a patent-pending binder called visiBINDER. This material uses mycelium, the complex root-like structure of fungi, to bind aggregates together. The process creates durable outdoor pavers, named visiPAVER, without the need for high temperatures or fossil-fuel-based components common in cement and asphalt production.
The company’s mission is to replace harmful substances in pavement construction with earth-friendly materials. Founder and CEO Line Kloster Pedersen was inspired to explore mycelium’s potential after realizing the construction industry still depends on century-old, oil-based binder technologies. Her vision is to transform infrastructure by reducing energy consumption, lowering CO₂ emissions, and eliminating reliance on fossil fuels.
First public installation in Copenhagen
Visibuilt’s technology is not just a laboratory concept. The company recently announced the first public installation of visiPAVER at Fælledby, an ambitious eco-district in Copenhagen. The mycelium-based pavers will be used for a shared bicycle parking area in the new development, which aims to prioritize recycled and bio-based building materials.
Erling Thygesen, CEO of Fælledby, explained the collaboration’s importance. “Experimenting with replacing cement or bitumen with a fungal root network as a binder fits perfectly with our ambitions to deliver the most climate-friendly district possible,” he stated.
This real-world application demonstrates the practical viability of visiPAVER. It showcases how nature-based solutions can be integrated into modern urban development projects. According to Pedersen, “With visiPAVER, we demonstrate how our visiBINDER technology can replace conventional materials in construction projects.”
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She adds that the potential extends far beyond pavers, positioning the technology as a platform to strengthen supply security for future infrastructure needs. As cities worldwide seek greener building solutions, could fungi provide the foundation for a more sustainable future?
Video: visiPAVER promotion video by Visibuilt
Photo credit: All images are owned by Visibuilt, who also made them available as part of their press releases.
Source: Various press releases from Visibuilt
