California-based startup MycoWorks has found a revolutionary replacement for natural animal skins in apparel and accessories. The company said that the material from mushrooms is stronger and many times safer for the planet, writes The Guardian.
Raw materials called Fine Micellium are made from mycelium (the vegetative body of fungi and actinomycetes, consisting of thin branched filaments) – for this, the mushrooms are grown in special trays for several weeks. The biomaterial can be immediately shaped and sized to the desired shape, which reduces waste in leather production.
According to the head of MycoWorks, Dr. Matt Scullin, in terms of tactile sensations and external characteristics, such leather does not differ from calf or sheep’s, but surpasses it in durability and does not harm the planet. Fine Micellium is not associated with burning forests for livestock feed, does not pollute the atmosphere with emissions of methane (a powerful greenhouse gas from animal life) and decomposes much faster.
Scullin predicted that custom-grown material will fundamentally change the fashion industry – designers will start to build not on the look of the finished product, but on environmentally friendly raw materials. Fine Micellium has already launched an exclusive Hermès bag. However, the head of MycoWorks is confident that the material will spur innovation outside the fashion industry.
In addition to luxury brands, sports goods manufacturer Adidas has also thought about creating goods from mushrooms. Company released the Stan Smith Mylo sneaker line. However, mushroom-based raw materials can become an environmentally friendly alternative to materials in various fields – they are used to build houses, make fish food and even coffins.
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