‘Evara sound panels’: Bio-Based acoustic solutions
We've developed a commercially viable wall-mounted acoustic panel made from mycelium and hemp substrate, offering sound dampening with customization options and a fully recyclable mounting system. Our bio-based solution directly challenges the €13+ billion synthetic acoustic materials industry by proving that sustainable alternatives can be a great alternative for traditional panels in both functionality and aesthetics.
Thijmen Tavenier
HAN University of Applied Sciences
Industrial Product Design and Mechanical Engineering
Over het initiatief / About the initiative
In welke fase zit jouw initiatief? / In what stage is your initiative?
Uitgewerkt conceptfase
Heb je jouw initiatief al gevalideerd? / Did you validate your initiative?
Yes, we validated acoustic performance through laboratory testing, confirmed structural durability, and tested our complete production process including bio-based customization and recyclable mounting systems.
Meer informatie over jouw initiatief / More info about your initiative
Our initiative addresses a critical gap in the €13.1 billion acoustic panel market, where 95% of products rely on synthetic materials that contribute to environmental degradation. With 22 million workers exposed to harmful workplace noise annually and acoustic awareness skyrocketing across industries, the demand for effective sound solutions has never been higher, yet sustainable options remain virtually non-existent.
The problem we’re solving:
The acoustic industry faces a sustainability crisis. Traditional panels use petroleum-based foams, synthetic fibers, and non-recyclable materials that end up in landfills. Meanwhile, acoustic awareness has exploded. The architectural acoustic panels market is projected to grow from €8.26 billion in 2024 to €12.26 billion by 2032, driven by increasing recognition that noise pollution causes 500,000 cases of hearing loss globally each year.
Our solution:
After six months of intensive R&D, we’ve created a high-performance wall-mounted acoustic panel using mycelium and hemp substrate. Our panels don’t just match synthetic alternatives, but offer a more sustainable one:
- Validated performance: Laboratory-tested acoustic dampening values prove sound absorption across different frequency ranges
- Strength and safety: Comprehensive stress testing confirms structural integrity, while our material demonstrates natural fire-retardant properties
- Customization options: Bio-based coloring and personalization options
- Zero-waste system: Fully recyclable mounting hardware designed for easy installation and end-of-life recovery
Market potential:
We’re positioned to capture significant market share in the rapidly growing sustainable materials segment, which already represents €4.5 billion within the acoustic industry. Our target customers include forward-thinking architects, corporate sustainability officers, and environmentally conscious consumers who refuse to compromise performance for principles.
Proven changemaker impact:
By replacing petroleum-based acoustic solutions with regenerative bio-materials, we’re not just creating a product, we’re joining a fundamental shift toward circular economy principles in construction materials. Every panel installed prevents synthetic waste while supporting sustainable agriculture through hemp cultivation and innovative mycelium farming.
Ready for scale:
We’ve established a rough concept of a production pipeline and validated our quality standards. Our initiative proves that the next generation of innovators can solve environmental challenges while building commercially successful enterprises.
Wat is er anders/nieuw aan jouw idee/oplossing t.o.v. bestaande oplossingen? / What is different/new about your idea/solution compared to existing solutions??
While mycelium acoustic panels exist in small niche markets, we’re the first to develop a complete system where the mounting hardware is fully recyclable and the entire panel is 90% biodegradable. Most existing mycelium panels lack proper mounting solutions or use non-recyclable hardware, limiting their true sustainability impact. As a passionate student team, we’ve solved the “last mile” problem by creating a wall-mounted system that’s genuinely circular from installation to end-of-life, making mycelium acoustics finally viable for mainstream adoption.
Wat zijn jouw volgende stappen om het verder te ontwikkelen? / What are your next steps to develop the initiative?
We already have a pilot running, so our immediate focus is scaling production to deliver 80m² of panels, requiring upgraded production facilities, equipment, and raw materials to meet this first commercial order. We want to secure professional acoustic testing facilities to further validate and optimize our performance data, and bringing in a experienced business professional to develop and implement a robust business plan, since our current student-level business strategy needs professional expertise to successfully scale and commercialize our innovation.
Wat heb je nodig om (nog meer) impact te maken met dit initiatief? / What do you need to make (more) impact with this initiative?
To scale our impact, we need expanded production facilities and equipment to meet our first 80m² commercial order and beyond, professional acoustic testing facilities to continuously validate and improve our performance data, and an experienced business strategist to develop a robust commercialization plan. Additionally, we require increased raw material sourcing capacity for mycelium and hemp substrates, quality control infrastructure for consistent manufacturing, and strategic partnerships with sustainable construction networks to accelerate market penetration in the $13+ billion acoustic materials industry.
