Your next handbag could start with mushrooms
The search for leather alternatives has led researchers somewhere unexpected: fungi. Although traditional leather is durable, producing it requires animal agriculture, which carries negative environmental impacts. Meanwhile, vegan alternatives are typically made from petroleum-based plastics that are difficult to recycle. Researchers report in ACS Applied Bio Materials that mycelium, the…
Researchers have discovered a novel method for creating a durable, compostable leather alternative using fungi. Traditional leather production involves animal agriculture, which has negative environmental impacts, while vegan alternatives often rely on petroleum-based plastics that are difficult to recycle. In a study published in ACS Applied Bio Materials, researchers report that mycelium, the underground network of fibers found beneath mushroom caps, can be transformed into a durable, compostable fabric.
Manuel Arias-Barrantes, a co-author of the study, explains that the new technique solves a significant bottleneck in the production of mycelium-based fabrics, making it possible for large-scale, affordable manufacturing. The process involves growing fungi, Trichoderma reesei, in nutrient-rich liquid tanks, similar to beer brewing, instead of the traditional tray method used for mass production.
The researchers harvested the fungal pulp, washed it, and mixed it with natural substances like sorbitol and cellulose to improve flexibility and strength. The mixture was then spread into thin sheets and dried, creating a nonwoven, leather-like fabric. This approach offers more control over the final material's properties, allowing for customization, color addition, texture manipulation, and layering onto cotton fabrics.
To test the scalability of the method, the researchers used a roller system akin to paper manufacturing to continuously produce 8-inch-wide, 26-foot-long mycelium sheets. They used this material to create a prototype handbag. Laboratory tests showed that the rolled-out mycelium material had tensile strengths comparable to traditional leather. Moreover, the material degraded in water within 28 days and fully disintegrated under industrial composting conditions within about six weeks.
While the material still needs to improve its tear resistance before it can be commercialized, the researchers believe the manufacturing process is promising due to its use of equipment commonly found in biotechnology and printing industries.
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