In Badung, Indonesia, Mycotech Lab is developing technology to produce vegan leather from mycelium. The company was inspired by the process used to make local delicacy tempeh—a fermented protein made from soybeans and fungi that is increasingly popular among vegans in Western regions as well.
After years of research, Mycotech has adapted the tempeh production process to make a new material from mushroom root systems. “[Finally], we found one mushroom with a mycelium that can be made into binding material,” Erlambang Ajidarma, Mycotech’s head of research recently told Reuters. Dubbed Mylea, the material is “fibrous but tough,” as well as waterproof, pliable, and durable. Natural dyes are used in finished products, Mycotech adds.
Indonesian sneaker brand Bro.do is already using the material and is finding demand strong from Japan as well.