# Microbe-Combining Eco-Friendly Headphones Aivan Pushes Sustainable Design's Limits with Korvaa By Kalin Ned | Published 2019-05-28 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecofriendly-headphones1 References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2019/05/24/korvaa-headphones-bioplastic-fungus-yeast-materials-aivan/) & [aivan.fi](https://www.aivan.fi/portfolio/korvaa-headset-made-by-microbes/) Finnish studio Aivan facilitates one of the more impressive sustainable material explorations and it proves the viability of its findings through a pair of eco-friendly headphones. Dubbed 'Korvaa,' the product highlights an engaging approach to manufacturing that utilizes a combination of [microbially grown substances](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spring-studio). Succeeding in the quest for a balanced relationship between biology and engineering, the eco-friendly headphones boast six different biologically derived materials. To built the over-ear audio device, Aivan utilized trichoderma reesei — a fungus, mycelium from phanerochaete chrysosporium, yeast, spider silk, cellulose, as well as a cellulose-mycelium composite. The eco-friendly headphones have been built in a tentative collaboration between Aivan, the [VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Plastic-free-packaging-films) and [Aalto University](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hahtiper-shipwreck). The goal was to create a three-dimensional object that boasts the benefits of bioplastic and seeks to "showcase the potential [...] of synthetic biology." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.7/10 - Popularity: 57% | Activity: 77% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Sustainable Material Exploration:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop new manufacturing processes and products using microbially grown substances to create sustainable materials. - **Biology-engineering Integration:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combine biological and engineering principles to design innovative and eco-friendly products. - **Synthetic Biology Showcases:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Use synthetic biology to create three-dimensional objects with the benefits of bioplastic. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Consumer Electronics:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate sustainable materials into the manufacturing of headphones and other electronic devices. - **Biotechnology:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the potential of synthetic biology to develop new materials and products. - **Design and Manufacturing:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Embrace sustainable design practices and integrate biology and engineering in the manufacturing process. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mycelium-Based Earplugs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dfc001.md) - [Mushroom-Core Audio Speakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mycoaudio.md) - [Eco-Friendly Biomaterial Cycling Helmets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biomaterial-cycling-helmet.md) - [Adaptable Kids' Headphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adaptable-kids-headphones.md) - [Sustainable Headphone Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fairbuds-xl.md) - [Sustainable Acoustic Tiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mycelium-wall.md) - [Upcycled Mycelium Acoustic Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/foresta-system.md) - [Ethical Eco-Conscious Earbuds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fairphone-true-wireless-earbuds.md) - [Biodegradable Earbud Protectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/incipio-organicore.md)