General Motors (GM) has introduced the 'SOLLEI,' a concept convertible electric vehicle that highlights MycoWorks’ 'Fine Mycelium' bio-based materials in its interior. The luxury vehicle incorporates these innovative biomaterials in various elements such as the charging mats on the console, door map pockets, and custom accessories. This collaboration underscores GM's commitment to sustainability and innovative materials.
In August 2022, MycoWorks secured an undisclosed investment from GM Ventures, GM’s venture capital arm. Although the SOLLEI is a one-off concept car and won't provide ongoing revenue for MycoWorks, it serves as a showcase for potential future applications of Fine Mycelium technology. MycoWorks has been collaborating with GM for two years to explore alternatives to animal leather for car interiors.
MycoWorks CEO Matt Scullin emphasized that the automotive-grade material used in the SOLLEI is distinct from their 'Reishi' biomaterial, which is used for luxury brands like Hermès and Ligne Roset. The automotive material is specifically grown, re-tanned, and finished differently, making it unique from Reishi. The exact properties of this material remain proprietary.
Growing Interest in the Interiors Industry
Scullin highlighted that MycoWorks is receiving significant interest from the interiors industry, including sectors like fashion, furniture, and automotive design. The Fine Mycelium technology offers unprecedented control over the properties of natural materials, which appeals to designers and creatives looking for customizable and scalable biomaterial solutions.
The Fine Mycelium process is highly adaptable, allowing for customization in thickness, weight, and mechanical properties, which is a significant competitive edge. MycoWorks' ability to engineer the material's properties for various applications makes it attractive to luxury partners seeking high-quality, sustainable options.
Scaling Production with Automation
Scaling production remains a challenge in the biomaterials industry. MycoWorks has addressed this by incorporating robotic equipment and systems to handle its tray-based biomaterials process, a first in the industry. This automation has enabled MycoWorks to scale its production successfully.
The company is continually seeking ways to improve and expand its process. Current production constraints include the size of the trays used to grow Fine Mycelium, which measure 60 by 90 cm. Despite these limitations, MycoWorks is producing at scale and working on overcoming these challenges.
Funding and Growth
Founded in 2013 by Philip Ross, Sophia Wang, and Eddie Pavlu, MycoWorks has raised substantial funding over the years. This includes a $17 million Series A led by DCVC Bio in early 2020, a $45 million Series B in late 2020, a $125 million Series C in early 2022 led by Prime Movers Lab, and an undisclosed investment from GM Ventures in summer 2022.
Innovative Production Process
Like its peer Ecovative, MycoWorks grows mycelium (filamentous fungi) through a solid-state fermentation system in trays filled with feedstocks such as recycled sawdust, limestone, and wheat bran. These trays are inoculated with MycoWorks’ proprietary fungi strains, which form sheets of mycelium that are then harvested and treated similarly to animal hides at tanneries.
The Fine Mycelium process is protected by over 80 patents and involves engineering how mycelium cells grow and intertwine. The process begins with creating a substrate from natural ingredients, which feeds the mycelium. MycoWorks’ exclusive strain of mycelium is added to this substrate in a tray, initiating growth. Over several weeks, the mycelium grows into a sheet, which is then harvested and the substrate is recycled.
This innovative approach allows MycoWorks to produce high-quality, customizable mycelium-based materials, positioning the company at the forefront of the sustainable biomaterials industry.