This time, the scientists took a different approach to the material formula itself. Instead of turning the fungal biomass straight into a leather-like sheet, they first processed it into a thick, wet, pulpy mass and grew it in a nutrient-rich liquid. Then the pulp was harvested, washed, and mixed with sorbitol and cellulose. Sorbitol makes it softer and less brittle, while the cellulose strengthens it, giving the material the right balance of flexibility and durability. The mixture was then spread into a thin layer and dried.

That's paper. Fungus fiber instead of wood pulp, but still paper.

In laboratory testing, the material showed durability and strength comparable to traditional leather

More durability? Less durability? Equivalent durability?

Apparently the durability is incomparable, and unquantifiable. Perhaps it is unmeasurable.

when submerged in water, it broke down after 28 days

The material still needs to be more tear-resistant before it can move toward mass production

Because you know leather is famously water-soluble. Looking forward to wearing a jacket that disintegrates in the rain.

This is paper.

Have they finally made it so it will not just disntegrate in 2 or 3 years on its own like the fake leather now doess?

Leather is animal hide, there is no "vegan". Vegan leather is plastic, pleather, naugahyde. I'm all for new, sustainable materials. We just need to stop calling them stupid names that make no sense. It's a new material, give it a new name.

Excellent, I also really like cork leather but happy for more alternatives, especially sustainable ones

Aren't they doing the same in Belgium?

Edit: they make mycelium leather and presented it a fashion week in 2025. I don't know if they have made it industry scale yet.