Swiss Scientists Unveil Living Mycelium: The Future of Plastic Alternatives

Researchers at Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, have pioneered a living material derived from the mycelium of the split-gill mushroom (Schizophyllum commune), offering a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.

Published on February 25, 2025, in Advanced Materials, the study presents living fiber dispersions (LFD), a gel-like material that stays alive while being made, and it combines the ability to break down naturally, strength, and flexibility.

Unlike traditional biomaterials that compromise eco-friendliness through chemical treatments, this mycelium-based material is fully edible, non-toxic, and capable of decomposing organic waste, positioning it as a game-changer in sustainable design. The innovation has garnered significant attention, with over 3,000 researchers accessing related datasets in 2025 alone.

Harnessing the Split-Gill Mushroom’s Potential

The split-gill mushroom, found on every continent except Antarctica, is a resilient saprobe that thrives on decaying wood, known for its ability to remain dormant for decades and revive with moisture.

Empa researchers chose a special type of mushroom that has a lot of schizophyllan, a type of nanofiber, and hydrophobin, a protein that acts like soap, which makes the material stronger and better at mixing things.

This living mycelium produces an extracellular matrix that supports its structure, enabling applications like compostable packaging that degrades organic waste and biodegradable sensors responsive to humidity.

The mushroom’s antimicrobial properties, effective against bacteria like Streptococcus sanguis, and its antioxidant compounds further expand its potential in food, cosmetics, and medical applications.

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Living Fiber Dispersions: A New Paradigm

Empa’s LFD technology preserves the mycelium’s living state, avoiding chemical processing that undermines sustainability. The material’s thin films, with 2.5 times the tensile strength of previous mycelium composites, rival traditional plastics and can be molded into various forms, from packaging to electronics.

Its ability to stabilize emulsions over time, unlike synthetic emulsifiers, makes it ideal for the food and cosmetic industries, with 15 companies, including a Swiss startup, testing it for eco-friendly packaging in 2025.

The material can change based on environmental factors like moisture, allowing for new uses such as biodegradable humidity sensors and "fungal paper" electrodes for small batteries, combining old fiber techniques with modern living material science.

Transforming Waste Management and Beyond

The mycelium’s dual role as a biodegradable material and active biodegrader sets it apart. Empa envisions compost bags that decompose their contents, addressing the 380 million metric tons of plastic produced annually, of which only 5-6% is recycled in the U.S. alone.

The material’s low production energy, relying on agricultural waste like hemp hurd, reduces its carbon footprint compared to polystyrene, which emits significant greenhouse gases.

Pilot projects in Europe are exploring its use in smart packaging and sustainable electronics, with a 30% increase in mycelium-based product trials since 2024.

However, challenges such as controlling chlamydospore formation and the high costs of scaling production still exist, although government incentives in the EU are supporting market entry.

Did You Know?
The split-gill mushroom’s mycelium can form networks spanning thousands of acres, with the largest known fungal network, an Armillaria species, covering 2,385 acres in Oregon.

A Sustainable Future with Fungi

This breakthrough positions mycelium as a cornerstone of the circular economy, potentially reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based plastics. Companies like IKEA and Dell have adopted mycelium packaging, with Dell reporting a 20% reduction in packaging waste since 2011.

Empa’s approach, combining nature’s optimized systems with minimal processing, could inspire further innovations in the construction, fashion, and food industries.

As global plastic pollution is projected to double by 2040, this living material offers a scalable, eco-friendly solution, though public adoption and regulatory support will be critical for widespread impact.