Loop Biotech

Loop Biotech, founded in 2020 by Bob Hendrikx, is a company that creates sustainable products from mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, aiming to restore the balance between humanity and nature. Hendrikx, an architect and biodesigner from TU Delft, began exploring the potential of mycelium for building materials, which led to the creation of a living coffin, the Loop Living Cocoon.

The company's flagship product, the Loop Living Cocoon, is a coffin that is grown in seven days by mixing mycelium with upcycled wood chips. Instead of being cremated or buried in a traditional coffin that pollutes the soil, the deceased can be laid to rest in a Living Cocoon, which biodegrades in 45 days and enriches the soil. This process allows the body to become part of the natural cycle of life, turning into compost for the surrounding environment. The product line has expanded to include the Loop ForestBed, a mycelium funeral carrier, and the Loop EarthRise, a mycelium urn for ashes.

Loop Biotech operates in the funeral industry, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burial methods. The business model involves the direct sale of these biotechnological products to consumers and funeral homes. The company has gained significant attention, including interest from investors on the Dutch TV show 'Dragons' Den', where it secured a €1 million investment.

Keywords: biotechnology, mycelium products, sustainable funerals, eco-friendly coffins, biodesign, living coffin, natural burial, circular economy, green technology, funeral industry