Fashion with Nature

MycaNova Properties

Depending on your needs, we find the ideal intersection of quality, design, and sustainability. We produce MycaNova with specific backing materials (such as organic cotton, recycled polyester, microfiber, linen,…), mycelium powder, and (bio-based) binders in a carefully tuned formulation to achieve your goals.

Quality and technical performance

Our mycelium powder is a high-quality component that mixes easily with existing blends and formulations. All MycaNova variants meet the industry standards of the application for which they are designed, such as shoe uppers, leather goods, luxury packing, furniture, and others. We welcome unusual or additional performance requirements because we love a little extra challenge and a chance to innovate further at the intersection of sustainability, design, and performance.

Design

Would you like your MycaNova to have a warm, leathery touch? Do you prefer a natural look with visible mycelium grains, or do we color the fabric in a vivid monotone? A smooth, grainy, lined, or exotic texture? Your design preferences are ours.
VOCFREE

Sustainability

All variations of MycaNova contain our exclusive mycelium powder, a 100% animal-free, upcycled, and bio-based material with the highest possible concentration. Our goal is to align with your sustainability objectives, which may include using bio-based and upcycled content, locally sourced components, solvent-free materials, low carbon footprint ingredients, or a combination of these targets, based on your performance and design choices.

MycaNova Mycelium

What is mycelium?

Mycelium is the root-like structure of a fungus, which can grow underground or on decomposing tree trunks. From mycelium, fungi can produce fruiting bodies, such as mushrooms. Mycelium forms a complex network of microscopic tubes that serve various functions as it grows. For example, mycelium contains all the necessary enzymes for natural decomposition and provides plants and trees with essential nutrients. Additionally, mycelium is vital in facilitating communication between different plants and trees, earning it the nickname “the wood wide web.”

Citribel mycelium

There are various types of mycelia, each with its unique properties. The fungus responsible for producing our mycelium has evolved over several decades to thrive on sugar molasses and produce citric acid, resulting in the co-production of mycelium. The mycelium has a specific spongy structure that can be dried and milled into a powder, facilitating its industrial use without requiring new production processes, machinery, or factories. Hence, we generate a valuable upcycling loop with CO2 savings on product level, while avoiding all CO2 emissions related to building new machines and factories.

How it's Made

Production steps

  1. Drying and milling of mycelium.
  2. Selection of release paper.
  3. Coating of the skin layer.
  4. Coating of the middle layer.
  5. Adhesive
  6. Backing material
  7. Release of the final MycaNova material.

The journey of our mycelium

Join us for a virtual tour from sugar molasses to MycaNova samples.

Play Video

MycaNova Markets

Furniture
Leather Goods
Automotive
Luxury Packaging
Footwear
Apparel
Interiors
Other Markets
Beige handtas lies mertens - cropped - expandedBeige handtas lies mertens - cropped - expanded
Beige handtas Lies Mertens
beige handtas lies mertens detailbeige handtas lies mertens detail
Beige handtas strap Lies Mertens
beige handtas liest mertens embossingbeige handtas liest mertens embossing
Beige handtas embos Lies Mertens
zwarte handtas lies mertens-cropped-expandedzwarte handtas lies mertens-cropped-expanded
Zwarte handtas embos Lies Mertens
Mycanova_studio_35_WEBMycanova_studio_35_WEB
Witte schoen
Mycanova_sustainability_functionalitymeetssustainability (Aangepast)Mycanova_sustainability_functionalitymeetssustainability (Aangepast)
Twee schoenen
Mycanova_studio_41_WEBMycanova_studio_41_WEB
Zwarte handtas
Mycanova_studio_42_WEBMycanova_studio_42_WEB
Bruine handtas
Witte handtas_WEB (Aangepast)Witte handtas_WEB (Aangepast)
Witte handtas
Mycanova_studio_75_WEBMycanova_studio_75_WEB
Poefen
Mycanova_mycanova_header (Aangepast)Mycanova_mycanova_header (Aangepast)
Poef detail
Mycanova_studio_38_WEBMycanova_studio_38_WEB
Bruine loafer
Mushroom leather key case_7Mushroom leather key case_7
Key case
Mushroom leather travel pouch_7Mushroom leather travel pouch_7
Travel pouches
Mushroom leather travel pouch_8Mushroom leather travel pouch_8
Travel Pouch
Mycanova_studio_25_WEBMycanova_studio_25_WEB
Broeksriem
Crafsto walletsCrafsto wallets
Wallets
McFermoir-Mycelium-dokterstas-A4-met-schouderriemMcFermoir-Mycelium-dokterstas-A4-met-schouderriem
Dokterstas

Did you know

That our most creative customers find inspiration for product design in the specific growth pattern of our mycelium? Lies Mertens, a promising Belgian designer, created this wonderful handbag, beautifully reflecting the specific MycaNova mycelium patterns, as the masterpiece of her MycaNova capsule collection.

Testimonial

Play Video
DRYING & MILLING OF MYCELIUM
SELECTION OF RELEASE PAPER
COATING OF THE SKIN LAYER
COATING OF THE MIDDLE LAYER
ADHESIVE
BACKING MATERIAL
RELEASE OF THE FINAL MYCANOVA MATERIAL