Mushroom leather and sustainable innovation: strategic opportunities for industries

Industries that employ leather, more particularly the fashion and textile ones, face increasing scrutiny for their environmental and ethical impacts, particularly concerning resource-intensive leather production and polluting synthetic alternatives. Against this backdrop, mushroom leather (derived from the mycelium of fungi) emerges as a transformative innovation, combining sustainability, scalability and market potential. This thesis investigates the role of mushroom leather into fostering sustainable development, with a focus on its environmental benefits, economic viability and integration into global markets. Through an analysis of leading innovators such as MycoWorks, Bolt Threads, Ecovative, and Mogu, the research highlights diverse technological approaches, business models, and collaboration strategies with luxury and mainstream brands. This thesis also examines industry and consumer perspectives to assess adoption challenges and opportunities within the wider sustainability agenda, and it demonstrates how mushroom leather represents not only an alternative material but also a strategic driver of innovation and competitiveness for industries navigating the transition toward a circular and responsible economy.