June 30, 2026 Microbial Induced Carbonate Precipitation: Meet the Bacteria behind the Mimmik Tile Nature has been making hard structures for millions of years. Coral reefs. Limestone cliffs. Shells. All of it built by living organisms creating mineral bonds. Mimmik Tile is created the same way. Microbial Induced Carbonate Precipitation The innovative Mimmik floor tiles are produced without the use of kilns or fossil fuels but with the help of bacteria instead. The process is called MICP, short for Microbial Induced Carbonate Precipitation: bacteria trigger the formation of calcium carbonate, the same mineral that builds coral reefs, shells, and limestone cliffs. MICP itself isn’t new. Researchers and engineers have studied and applied it for years – to strengthen soil, repair cracks in concrete, and stabilise foundations. What’s new is bringing that same biological process into a finished architectural material. Forming Bonds To create a Mimmik Tile, sand, aggregate, and living bacteria are brought together and fed with nutrients. They begin producing calcium carbonate (the same mineral that makes a coral reef dense and durable), and after roughly 40 hours, a solid crystalline calcium carbonate matrix holds the material together. As the biological process continues, new mineral bonds develop between particles, and the structure begins to strengthen from within. As more bonds form, the biocementation grows denser and the structure becomes continuous, encapsulating each grain of sand and aggregate from the inside out. The result carries an A+ environmental rating, and because it’s grown rather than fired, its carbon footprint sits far below conventional ceramic or natural stone. Now we have a beautiful tile grown by bacteria, ready to be walked on. And admired, of course! Click here for all specs, technical documentation, price indication, our digital design tool and physical sample request form. 1. Sand, aggregate, and living bacteria are brought together 2. At the microscopic scale, the bacteria activate and begin laying the groundwork for what comes next 3. Fed with nutrients, the bacteria begin converting it into calcium carbonate (the same mineral that makes a coral reef hard, dense, and enduring) 4. As the biological process continues, new mineral bonds develop between particles, and the structure begins to strengthen from within (close-up) 5. The calcium carbonate bonds keep building, consolidating the structure and steadily increasing its strength — no kilns, no heat, no fossil fuels required (close-up) 6. As more bonds form, the biocementation grows denser and the structure becomes continuous — encapsulating each grain of sand and aggregate from the inside out 7. After roughly 40 hours, a solid crystalline calcium carbonate matrix holds the material together 8. The process is now complete and this tile grown by bacteria, ready to be walked on by people! Specifying an Interior Floor? We're looking for the next interior project (150m²+) to put Mimmik Tile to the test. Request your sample box today and help build the case study that gets us to the EPD. Request samples
Microbial Induced Carbonate Precipitation The innovative Mimmik floor tiles are produced without the use of kilns or fossil fuels but with the help of bacteria instead. The process is called MICP, short for Microbial Induced Carbonate Precipitation: bacteria trigger the formation of calcium carbonate, the same mineral that builds coral reefs, shells, and limestone cliffs. MICP itself isn’t new. Researchers and engineers have studied and applied it for years – to strengthen soil, repair cracks in concrete, and stabilise foundations. What’s new is bringing that same biological process into a finished architectural material. Forming Bonds To create a Mimmik Tile, sand, aggregate, and living bacteria are brought together and fed with nutrients. They begin producing calcium carbonate (the same mineral that makes a coral reef dense and durable), and after roughly 40 hours, a solid crystalline calcium carbonate matrix holds the material together. As the biological process continues, new mineral bonds develop between particles, and the structure begins to strengthen from within. As more bonds form, the biocementation grows denser and the structure becomes continuous, encapsulating each grain of sand and aggregate from the inside out. The result carries an A+ environmental rating, and because it’s grown rather than fired, its carbon footprint sits far below conventional ceramic or natural stone. Now we have a beautiful tile grown by bacteria, ready to be walked on. And admired, of course! Click here for all specs, technical documentation, price indication, our digital design tool and physical sample request form. 1. Sand, aggregate, and living bacteria are brought together 2. At the microscopic scale, the bacteria activate and begin laying the groundwork for what comes next 3. Fed with nutrients, the bacteria begin converting it into calcium carbonate (the same mineral that makes a coral reef hard, dense, and enduring) 4. As the biological process continues, new mineral bonds develop between particles, and the structure begins to strengthen from within (close-up) 5. The calcium carbonate bonds keep building, consolidating the structure and steadily increasing its strength — no kilns, no heat, no fossil fuels required (close-up) 6. As more bonds form, the biocementation grows denser and the structure becomes continuous — encapsulating each grain of sand and aggregate from the inside out 7. After roughly 40 hours, a solid crystalline calcium carbonate matrix holds the material together 8. The process is now complete and this tile grown by bacteria, ready to be walked on by people! Specifying an Interior Floor? We're looking for the next interior project (150m²+) to put Mimmik Tile to the test. Request your sample box today and help build the case study that gets us to the EPD. Request samples
