Champignonkulturen GmbH in Limeshain near Frankfurt delivered the first batches of sterilised substrate to growers in the first week of October. After three years of research and planning the pilot plant produced the first substrate in August.

Champignonkulturen cooperates with the extension service of the ministry of agriculture, more notably with Dipl. Ing. Mascha Wembacher and Ulrich Groos. The spawn is delivered by Pilzforum from Bad Kreuznach, the special filtered bags are Unicorn bags from the US.

The first tests with small batches of substrate had very high yields of 28 to 35% of King Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus eryngii) in one flush, the Pioppino (Agrocybe aegerita) with yields of up to 30% in two flushes.

The installation consists of a large autoclavable mixer, in which the ingredients are mixed and sterilised at 121 C. In this way, the substrate is very uniform in contrast to sterilization in bags in an autoclave, as the outer layer of the substrate in bags will be exposed to high temperatures for a longer time compared to the inner core.

The plant currently produces mainly King Oyster, Shiitake and Pioppino, but other species like Lions mane (Hericium) and Winter Oyster mushroom can be produced as well. According to Christian Schmaus, of Champignonkulturen, the capacity of the installation can be extended to 50 tonnes a week if the market responds well to the substrate.