Julia Bialecka — Replacing Styrofoam with Hemp and Mycelium

Julia Bialecka — Replacing Styrofoam with Hemp and Mycelium

Author: Eric Hurlock, Digital Editor July 3, 2026 Duration: 15:57

This is part six of a ten-part podcast series documenting the European Industrial Hemp Association's 23rd Annual Conference in Poznan, Poland, at the Institute of Fiber Plants and Medicinal Medicine, June 10-12. 

Julia Bialecka is CEO and co-founder of S-Lab, short for Sustainable Laboratory. The company uses hemp and mycelium to make packaging that replaces expanded polystyrene. Based in Spain, S-Lab has already piloted its material with L'Oréal, Nespresso and JTI.

"Every polystyrene Styrofoam packaging unit that was ever produced still remains somewhere on the landfills because it's 500 years there," she said.

The material performs like polystyrene but fully biodegrades in 30 days and is certified home-compostable. Hemp makes up about 90% of the product, and mycelium is the other 10%, acting as a glue that binds the hemp shives together as it grows.

S-Lab is closing a €2.5 million seed round and preparing to move from startup to scale-up.

"My dream is that one day I go to the grocery shop, to the cosmetics shop, and I see most of the products packed into our material," Bialecka said.

Learn More

S-Lab (Sustainable Laboratory)

s-lab.bio

Institute of Natural Fibers and Medicinal Plants (IWNIRZ)

iwnirz.pl

European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA)

eiha.org

EIHA Conference

eiha-conference.org

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Condor Seed

condorseed.com

HEMI — The Hemp Education and Marketing Initiative

thegoodnessofhemp.org

Bish Enterprises — FiberCut Hemp Harvesting

bishenterprise.com/fibercut

1937 International

1937international.com


There’s a quiet revolution happening in fields and factories, and it’s centered on a single, versatile plant. Industrial Hemp Podcast, guided by Eric Hurlock, the Digital Editor at Lancaster Farming, moves beyond the headlines to explore what’s actually happening on the ground. This isn’t just theoretical discussion; it’s a direct line to the people driving the industry forward. Each episode features conversations with the farmers who are planting and harvesting these crops, facing very real agronomic challenges and opportunities. You’ll also hear from researchers, processors, and policy experts who are shaping the future of hemp for fiber, grain, and other industrial applications. The dialogue digs into the practicalities-from planting techniques and harvesting equipment to market trends, regulatory hurdles, and technological innovations that are changing the game. It’s a clear-eyed look at an agricultural sector finding its footing, reported by journalists with deep roots in farming communities. For anyone curious about the business, science, and sheer hard work behind industrial hemp, this podcast serves as an essential, grounded resource. Tune in for honest talk that cuts through the hype and gets to the root of this growing field.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Industrial Hemp Podcast
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