The right fungus for the right job

There is a great need for materials such as textiles and packaging materials with a much lower ecological footprint than the current (mostly) fossil-based materials. This can vary from materials with a short lifespan like disposable items, to more durable items such as clothing or shoes. Fungi are very promising as alternative raw materials, however, their application is still in its infancy. Thus far, the incredible variation in and within mushroom species and their various material properties have remained largely unexplored.

This project aims to bridge the gap between material properties, fungal species, and within-species variation. Focusing on real material products, i.e. tangible prototypes, we will analyse a number of mushroom species (and strains) and their derived materials for the most important physical chemical parameters, and assess possible food safety or health issues related to using those materials. By combining and building on the unique expertise present in WUR (mushroom fungi, material sciences, food safety research) in producing prototypes, we expect to provide an advanced base for collaborative projects on a variety of new fungal materials.