Mycelium, the root network of fungi, is seen as a sustainable alternative to traditional fashion materials. It is biodegradable, grows fast and can be grown in various forms. For large -scale application in fashion, the material only has a few challenges. Researchers from the University of Groningen (RUG), including Marleen Kamperman and Dr. Marijke Leliveld, have received a subsidy of 100,000 euros from the Gratama Foundation to further develop this material, the RUG reports.
- Mycelium is seen as a promising, biodegradable alternative to traditional fashion materials, but is still too vulnerable to large-scale application.
- Researchers from the RUG receive a subsidy to improve the properties of mycelium textiles and to do consumer research into clothing made from fungi.
- The fashion industry shows growing interest in mycelium textiles, with examples of redesigning by brands such as Stella McCartney and Hermès, which can be a step towards circular models.
Mycelium is increasingly mentioned internationally as a promising biobased material within the fashion industry. It is completely biodegradable, grows fast and can be grown in all shapes. Nevertheless, the material is still too vulnerable for large -scale application in clothing, RUG reports in the news item. In collaboration with Studio Veenhoven, Kamperman therefore focuses on improving the properties of the mycelium textiles, so that it becomes suitable for use in fashion.
In the meantime, Leliveld is investigating how consumers think about clothing made of fungi. According to the researchers, that combination of technical and consumer -oriented research is essential to successfully market the material. “Due to the rapid exchange of these insights to each other and therefore the interaction between material sciences and consumer behavior, we work towards a product in which both industry and consumers are interested,” said Kamperman in a back news item.
The Gratama Jubilee Gift is a one-off prize for a multidisciplinary research project, awarded on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Gratama Foundation. The award took place during the symposium The Future of Textiles: Creating Sustainable Ecosystems.
Material innovation in the fashion industry
The research by Kamperman and Leliveld is in line with a wider movement in fashion towards sustainable and innovative materials. In the international fashion world, interest in this type of material innovation is growing. Mycelium textiles are investigated by both established brands and emerging labels. For example, Stella McCartney and Hermès have redesigned pieces from their collections with mushroom leather – a material variant based on mycelium.
If it is possible to apply mycelium textiles on an industrial scale, this can mean a big step towards circular business models and a lower environmental impact.
