Biotech Company MycoWorks Begins Production at the World’s First Commercial-Scale Fine Mycelium Plant in Union, South Carolina.
@MycoWorks
Providing the company’s luxury leather alternative Reishi.
Last week, biotechnology company MycoWorks begins production at its world-class manufacturing facility in Union, S.C. Now capable of scaling-up to meet luxury industry demand, the company is set to grow millions of square feet of its leather-alternative material produced with the company’s proprietary technology, Fine Mycelium. This patented technology produces Reishi™, a biomaterial with unparalleled hand-feel, strength and durability – on par with calfskin leather, the industry gold standard.
MycoWorks: Revolutionizing Luxury with Fine Mycelium Production
The world of luxury is witnessing a groundbreaking transformation with the inauguration of the world’s first commercial-scale Fine Mycelium plant by biotechnology company MycoWorks in Union, South Carolina. This state-of-the-art facility is set to redefine the luxury industry by producing Reishi, a luxury leather alternative, through patented Fine Mycelium technology.
MycoWorks’ journey into commercial-scale manufacturing is a remarkable milestone in the world of biomaterials. The company, with illustrious partners such as Hermès and General Motors, is not just pushing the boundaries of innovation but also addressing serious challenges facing the $164 billion leather market and $28 billion luxury leather market. These challenges include supply chain constraints and the need for superior product alternatives.
Since 2010, demand for luxury leather has soared by 251 percent, while high-end hide production has declined by 22 percent, primarily due to changes in beef and dairy consumption. MycoWorks has emerged as a champion in addressing these challenges by establishing the world’s first full-scale alternative leather factory, signaling a revolution in the production of high-quality natural materials for the luxury industry.
The 136,000 square-foot plant represents the world’s largest mycelium material operation, marking a significant advancement in the use of mycelium, often referred to as the “root structure” of mushrooms. Initially focusing on leather, MycoWorks’ Fine Mycelium™ technology is poised for expansion into various applications. The successful realization of this project was made possible through a $125 million Series C funding round in 2021, with support from Prime Movers Lab, SK Networks, Mirabaud Lifestyle Impact & Innovation Fund, DCVC Bio, Novo Holdings, strategic customers, and investors.
Doug Hardesty, MycoWorks Chief Operating Officer, expressed his excitement, stating, “As MycoWorks continues to lead in biomaterial innovation, we are thrilled to open this first-of-its-kind facility in South Carolina. This reality is thanks to our team of experienced manufacturing leaders and engineers from various industries, who have adapted robotic equipment and systems to handle our unique tray-based biomaterials process. In turn, they have enabled the first high-quality mycelium material product at scale, a feat which has never been accomplished until now.”
MycoWorks’ cutting-edge facility leverages state-of-the-art robotics, digital analytics, and AI resources to ensure top-tier quality and supply chain efficiency. Through the use of automated guided robots (AGRs), the company has automated 80% of its processes, significantly reducing handling costs while maintaining expert oversight where critical for quality assurance, resulting in a perfect blend of high quality and low-cost production.
For the leather industry, MycoWorks’ Union, S.C., facility represents a breakthrough in supply chain management. It offers full predictability, transparency, and provenance of high-quality natural materials while simultaneously reducing waste. Fine Mycelium™ can be tailored to meet specific thickness, weight, and mechanical properties, granting unprecedented control over a natural material—a feat previously impossible via traditional agriculture.
The impact of MycoWorks’ achievement resonates beyond the plant’s walls, particularly in the luxury fashion and automotive sectors.
Luxury brands have eagerly awaited this development, enabling them to transition from prototyping and limited collections to full-scale adoption of Fine Mycelium™. The biomaterial has already proven its mettle in product categories ranging from luxury handbags and footwear to vehicle interiors and home furnishings.
Additionally, MycoWorks’ investment in Union, South Carolina, marks a return of production to the United States from an industry primarily sourcing from Europe. Union, with its rich history in textile manufacturing and existing presence of leading automotive manufacturers, is poised to become a hub for collaborative innovation across industries. This centralization of biotechnology and manufacturing aligns with South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster’s vision of bringing cutting-edge science and technology to the state.
Governor McMaster expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome MycoWorks to Union and have been eagerly awaiting the start of production. We are already seeing the growth that this opening is bringing to the immediate and greater communities in the area, including more jobs, housing, storefronts, and overall investments. MycoWorks is a fantastic addition to our portfolio of energy-efficient plants, and we look forward to their long-term impact in South Carolina.”
