Sages and Osmose Combine Forces to Create Vibrant, Eco-Friendly Mycelium Leather with Natural Dyes

FDT Bureau

In a groundbreaking collaboration, two British companies, Sages and Osmose, have innovatively combined their expertise to create a vibrant new form of mycelium-based leather. Sages specializes in natural dyes derived from food waste such as avocado pits, blueberries, red cabbages, and onion skins. Osmose, on the other hand, produces an alternative to traditional leather using mycelium, the fibrous root network of mushrooms. Their partnership marks a pioneering effort in sustainable material development, enabling the dyeing of mycelium with natural, non-toxic colours rather than synthetic, petroleum-based dyes. This process ensures that the final product remains biodegradable and safe for the environment. Know more about it on FURNITURE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (FDT).

The challenge of developing vegan leather alternatives is that they are both biodegradable and aesthetically pleasing, noting that many current options use synthetic dyes or plasticizers that hinder biodegradability. However, it is the difficulty in offering attractive colour choices in natural mycelium products. The collaboration involved working with researchers from Cranfield University to utilize green chemistry techniques, aiming to replace hazardous substances commonly used in leather dyeing with less toxic alternatives.

Initial trials used avocado waste to produce tan-coloured mycelium, and further experiments with other food waste, such as blueberries and onion skins, yielded shades of violet and bordeaux. The team is now focused on creating a dual-purpose process that simultaneously dyes and waterproofs the mycelium, akin to traditional leather tanning but with sustainable methods. Osmose is particularly invested in developing a bio-based, non-toxic waterproof coating, as many plant-based leathers rely on synthetic coatings that compromise their environmental benefits.

Image credit: Sages and Osmose