Mushroom Leather - why it's growing
There are many reasons why this vegan leather, made from the root structure of fungi, is touted as the material of the future.
Mushroom leather is a win for the environment. Dr Matt Scullin, CEO of biomaterials company MycoWorks,has said that this sustainability game-changer could “unlock a future of design which begins with the material, not the object.”
MycoWorks' textile eliminates the need to farm millions of animals for leather (and yes, animals are often farmed and killed specifically for their skins).
How exactly are mushrooms transformed into leather? The journey starts with mycelium – a root-like fungus structure. MycoWorks' process starts with engineered mushroom cells grown into 3D structures which form a tough, resistant material which boasts the durability and longevity of animal leather.
Bolt Threads (Stella McCartney's collaboration partners) grow mycelium cells on beds of sawdust and other organic materials, to then harvest and process the resulting intertwined network of cells.
Any remaining materials are subsequently composted. This material is also certified bio-based and on its way to becoming plastic-free.
The production process of mushroom leather requires very little water and energy to produce, further minimising its environmental impact compared to animal skins.
And after many years of research, the material is ready to compete with cow skin in terms of aesthetics – it's no wonder that it's making its way into high fashion and big-name brands are starting to look to mushroom leather to replace animal skins.