MYCELIUM

Mycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus, forming a network of filaments functionally similar to the roots of a plant. These threads can be grown from agricultural waste and wood chips, and are being used to develop new materials. Ecovative produces MycoFlex, a 100% mycelium-structured foam that offers a high-performance biodegradable alternative to plastic and leather. Then there’s MycoWorks, the firm behind Fine Mycelium, a patented process to engineer natural, non-animal and customised materials for the fashion and footwear sectors.