Scientists at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have developed new agricultural waste blends that can be used for protective packaging.

The new blends are claimed to be biodegradable and are used in custom packaging products to protect computers and other breakables during shipping.

Developed by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) engineer Greg Holt and his colleagues at Lubbock, Texas, the biodegradable blends are said to offer a cost-effective green alternative to extruded polystyrene foam packaging.

The process of making the blends includes combining cotton gin waste and fungi inside a cast called as tool, where the ingredients become one and result in a spongy-looking material.

According to the developers, the blends appear similar to the polystyrene foam and are biodegradable, compostable and flame retardant, while possessing the cushioning strength of synthetic packing material.

The authorities expect the blends to replace the polystyrene foam packaging, which is expected to have market revenues of about $2bn.

Holt's industry partner, Ecovative Design developed the patented method that uses fungi as a workhorse.