Adidas, Gucci and other big brands to use leather made from mushrooms

November 18, 2020 at 14:29 hrs.
Adidas, Gucci and other big brands will use leather made from mushrooms. PHOTO: Deezen
Adidas, Gucci and other big brands will use leather made from mushrooms. PHOTO: Deezen

 

The fashion industry is going through a stage of innovation, sustainability and awareness that implies the search for new materials that allow the quality and presentation of the garments to be preserved without causing environmental damage.

Thus, adidas, Stella McCartney, Lululemon and the parent company of Gucci, Kering, have associated themselves to invest in the production of Mylo, a type of material that is obtained from the mycelium — a set of cylindrical filaments (called hyphae) that constitute the structure of the body of fungi—.

In this process, according to its discoverers, the biotechnology company Bolt threads, the cells are fed with sawdust and other organic materials, and placed on square growing mats. 

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Later, in a humidity and temperature controlled environment, they are allowed to grow into a foamy layer (like a big bag of crushed marshmallows) and harvested.

Towards the end of the process, andThis network of mycelium becomes a sheet of material that resembles cork but is much thinner and more flexible., to then go through a tanning and dyeing treatment made by the same tanneries that work with animal hides.

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These procedures usually involve harmful chemicals such as chromium, which can cause contamination of wastewater and effects on the health of workers. 

It is because of that James Bainbridge, president of product development for Bolt Threads, has stated that the company only works with companies that have achieved global sustainability certifications.

"Mylo is free of highly hazardous chemicals and substances like DMF (dimethylformamide) and chromium, some of the most harmful chemicals used in animal and synthetic leather," he stated.

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Partners for sustainability and the avant-garde

The interest of the major clothing and sports brands in anticipating the incorporation of new textile options in their production processes led them to associate in a conglomerate, and thus jointly invest in Bolt Threads' research around Mylo.

With that, adidas, Gucci, Lululemon y Stella McCartney could use this material faster and earlier than anyone else.

The next challenge, according to Bainbridge, is to find a way to speed up the Mylo cultivation process, so that it can be produced in larger quantities.

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