Mycelium revolution: Fungi taking over fashion

• Author:
• Author name

  Quantumrun Foresight
• October 25, 2022

Insight summary

Mycelium, the fungus mushrooms are made of, is easy to cultivate, biodegradable, and it has the potential to be the ultimate sustainable substance of the future. This substance can be transformed into various goods and products, including handbags, packaging, and construction materials. Long-term implications of this trend could include potential healthcare and smart packaging applications, as well as increased research funding in materials science initiatiaves.

Mycelium revolution context

Scientists are working on understanding, growing, and reprogramming single-celled organisms like yeast, bacteria, and algae. This endeavor is being done to produce more lifesaving drugs and bio-based fuels like corn ethanol, fragrances, and more. In particular, research has zeroed in on mycelium, a fungus similar to yeast but more complex and versatile.

Not only does mycelium produce small molecules, but it also assembles them into complex structures with great care and precision. These structures are so fine and delicate that they are invisible to the human eye. After the mycelium has developed a network, it enters the next phase: mushroom production. The mycelium can then be encouraged to create specific structures by regulating temperature, carbon dioxide, humidity, and airflow to influence tissue growth.

Developing mushroom fibers could result in a crucial advancement in bio-fabrication that would disrupt how some products are created and used. Mycelium fibers constantly evolve and can be used to develop a range of materials from clothing to construction, from leather to organ scaffolding. When harnessed correctly, this material may help reduce the amount of plastic in landfills. More importantly, growing mycelium creates little waste and uses little energy compared to traditional materials. 

Disruptive impact

Mycelium has use cases across several major industries. The first is in construction in the form of sustainable building materials. For example, mycelium composites, created by growing mycelium on agricultural waste, offer low-cost and greener building materials that may help reduce dependence on fossil fuel-based products.

In 2014, Evocative Design developed a mycelium-based brick used to build the compostable tower at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. The construction industry is also exploring mixing mycelium with recycled materials to create new components. For instance, Redhouse Architecture recycles materials from demolished buildings through a portable “biocycler.”

Additionally, the sustainable fashion industry is investigating mycelium fiber research. One example is startup MycoWorks’ mycelium-based leather, Reishi™, which was revealed for the New York Fashion Week in 2020. Meanwhile, fabric manufacturer Bolt Threads signed a deal with Adidas and Stella McCartney in 2020 to utilize its Mylo mycelium textile in clothing, accessories, and footwear. 

Mycelium is also being heavily used in the packaging sector. Furniture store IKEA and computer manufacturer Dell committed to begin using mycelium packaging. At the same time, plant-based meats are transitioning to fungus fibers. Meati, an alt-meat brand from Colorado, announced that its mycelium-based food would eventually require 99 percent less water and land while emitting 99 percent less carbon than industrialized animal meat production. 

Implications of mycelium revolution

Wider implications of the mycelium revolution may include: 

• Increased research and development into the use of mycelium in healthcare, including synthetic organs and disposable medical materials.
• The fashion industry using more biodegradable materials like mycelium to attract ethical consumers.
• Smart packaging using fungus’ fibers to reduce waste by being biodegradable and to preserve the freshness of various foods.
• Federal agencies funding university research on other mycelium use cases, including biological technology that can self-repair and regenerate. 
• More venture capital investments in startups that develop bio-based, self-generating, and recyclable materials in construction.
• Governments eventually creating legislation to govern the safety of how mycelium products are produced and how they are used in specific health-related applications.

Questions to consider

• What are other possible uses for mycelium?
• How else can the mycelium revolution promote sustainability?