Come September and biomaterials technology company MycoWorks will throw open the world’s first commercial-scale Fine Mycelium production plant that will manufacture millions of square feet of ‘Reishi’—a luxury leather alternative.
- The announcement follows the sharing of test results that demonstrate how the company's flagship material—Reishi—is a new category of material for the world's best luxury brands.
- Without the use of plastics, Fine Mycelium stands out in a field of alternatives that depend on polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films, fillers, or backings to provide strength and durability.
WHAT IS REISHI: Reishi is a new category of premium, natural material that features the strength, durability, and hand-feel of the finest animal leathers with lower environmental impact.
- Mycelium, the root network of mushrooms, has been around for thousands of years. However, its potential as mushroom leather has only recently become recognised.
- As mycelium leather, Fine Mycelium provides a natural alternative to animal leather and plastic-based biomaterials made using polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
- Unlike other cactus, apple, grape, mushroom leathers, which have to be mixed with plastic for performance purposes, Reishi is made from mycelium alone, claiming superior strength and durability while preserving the hand-feel of the finest animal leathers.
- Reishi is also naturally flexible, breathable and soft—without compromising the environment.
THE PRODUCTION PLANT: Set to begin operating on 20 September 2023, the 136,000 sq ft factory will employ more than 350 people, enabling MycoWorks to supply its luxury partners with millions of square feet of Reishi per year.
- MycoWorks’ proprietary Fine Mycelium production process cultivates mycelium in a controlled environment, harnessing its natural growth to create sheets of Reishi.
- Since Reishi’s introduction, the company has partnered with major brands across the luxury, fashion, home furnishings and automotive industries, including Hermès, Ligne Roset and GM.
ABOUT MYCOWORKS: MycoWorks, a San Francisco-based biomaterials company, operates vertically, owning its technology stack rather than licensing or outsourcing. The development and control of every step of its production process has given the company the depth of expertise to introduce this new category of material to market.
- Founded by Philip Ross and Sophia Wang in 2013, MycoWorks' patented Fine Mycelium technology, an advanced manufacturing platform and a breakthrough in materials science, engineers mycelium during growth to form proprietary, interlocking cellular structures for unparalleled beauty, hand-feel, strength and durability.
WHAT THEY SAID:
This is the moment the luxury industry has been waiting for; a plastic-free leather alternative that offers undeniable beauty and performance—at scale. Now that the challenge of supply has been solved, brands will move quickly to commercialize items made with Reishi.
— Patrick Thomas
Former CEO / Board Member
Hermes / MycoWorks
There have been two barriers to the decades-long search for a luxury leather alternative: product quality and scalable manufacturing. In 2016 we eliminated the first by introducing Reishi to the world, and in September 2023 we are answering the question of scale with this state-of-the-art facility in South Carolina.
— Matt Scullin
CEO
MycoWorks
MycoWorks’ Fine Mycelium platform is an unprecedented advancement in materials. Opening the doors on the first commercial-scale factory has MycoWorks poised to answer the luxury industry’s desire to craft objects with natural alternatives to leather.
— Kiersten Stead
Managing Partner / Board Member
DCVC Bio / MycoWorks
