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From fungus to fashion: Chinese scientists develop sustainable ‘living textiles’
The fabric can clean and repair itself, opening the door to recyclable fashion and biodegradable packaging
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Caroline Lin
Published: 10:00am, 27 Jul 2026
Chinese scientists have developed a way to create clothing and textiles from a fungus that can self-clean and regenerate
The fabric can also be customised – for example to add colour or protect the wearer from ultraviolet (UV) rays – with the help of other microorganisms, according to a study published on Friday
A persistent challenge for engineered living materials (ELMs) has been scaling up microscopic living cells into large, durable structures that remain alive and functional
A research team led by the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology tried to address this challenge by developing a method to make ELMs using a fungus called Cordyceps militaris
Also known as caterpillar fungus, it is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and can create threadlike structures
The study highlighted the material’s sustainability. Environmental assessments confirmed it degraded within 41 days, raising the possibility the material could be used to make circular fashion – clothing that is designed to be reused or recycled
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