Leather-like material made with mushrooms "Mylo"

We are aiming to realize "sustainable fashion" that does not kill animals and has less environmental impactBolt ThreadsHowever, as a new material following "spider silk" using artificial spider's thread, leathery material using mushroom mycelium "MyloWe announced.

Bolt Threads - Mylo
https://boltthreads.com/technology/mylo/

Bolt Threads Debuts New 'Leather' Made From Mushroom Roots
https://www.forbes.com/sites/amyfeldman/2018/04/16/synthetic-spider-silk-maker-bolt-threads-debuts-new-bio-material-leather-made-from-mushroom-roots/#7d80051e1837

Local company that creates material from mushrooms now partnering on spider silk - Times Union
https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/Troy-company-creates-leather-like-material-made-12840393.php

Mycelium is the root part of mushrooms, looks like fungi almost unchanged. Usually, the part eaten with edible mushrooms is a part composed of "umbrella" and "thick pattern" called fruiting bodies. Therefore, there should be few people who have eaten mycelia or have seen it.

ByAlison Harrington

To make Mylo, spread the stem of corn and grow the mycelium of mushrooms on it. At this time, by accurately managing temperature and humidity, it seems that the mycelium becomes complicatedly entangled and grows into a shape that produces strength.


After that, it undergoes the same "tanning" and dyeing process as ordinary leather, the mycelium becomes a material with the same appearance as leather. Also, just as it looks, Mylo is characterized by a soft, supple texture like a real skin material.


The mycelium used for the production of Mylo is not genetically manipulated, it only controls the growth of wild spores. Also, to take skin from animals, you have to wait for years to grow, but the mycelium grows in a few weeks. Therefore, according to Bolt Threads, it is said that Mylo has higher production efficiency than ordinary leather.

Bolt Threads will exhibit bags using Mylo at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London on Saturday, April 21, 2018. Also, in June, 2018 it seems to start ordering bags.