Table of Contents
- The eco-friendly innovation stemming from mushrooms: Why Joil Industries’ technology is gaining attention
- What is mushroom mycelium vegan leather?
- What distinguishes Joil Industries’ technology development?
- Areas of application and future plans
- Vegan leather market: A significant entry into the domestic market
- In the era of carbon neutrality, alternatives found in mushrooms
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The eco-friendly innovation stemming from mushrooms: Why Joil Industries’ technology is gaining attention
Joil Industries, a medium-sized company based in Busan, has successfully developed Korea's first 'continuous production technology for vegan leather utilizing mushroom mycelium' in collaboration with the Korea Materials Convergence Research Institute (KIMCO).
This innovative technology is eco-friendly and offers solutions that contribute to low carbon emissions and animal welfare, potentially addressing several challenges faced by modern industry. It is expected to play a significant role in the future mobility interior and premium consumer goods markets.
Especially, since this technology has evolved beyond mere experimental phases to a system suitable for actual industrialization, it is attracting great interest from domestic and international companies and investors. With this, Joil Industries is taking an important step towards a sustainable future.
What is mushroom mycelium vegan leather?
'Mushroom mycelium-based vegan leather' is an eco-friendly synthetic leather made from mushroom mycelium.
This mycelium consists of fine fibers similar to the roots of mushrooms, growing quickly and decomposing easily.
Moreover, it can be cultivated using agricultural waste, making it a material noted for its sustainability.
This material can replicate the texture and strength of animal leather, making it widely applicable in various fields such as fashion, automotive, furniture, and medical. There is significant potential for diverse applications of this material.
What distinguishes Joil Industries’ technology development?
The 'Biomass-based Vegan Leather Demonstration Cluster Construction Project', supported by the Busan City and the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, has a scale of 23 billion KRW, with the government covering 14.8 billion KRW, the city covering 3 billion KRW, and private investment accounting for 5.2 billion KRW.
Joil Industries plays a key role in this project, independently developing the continuous sheet manufacturing and laminating processes using mushroom mycelium.
This innovative technology contributes to overcoming the quality and production limits of vegan leather, establishing a commercial basis to meet the demands of global brands.
Areas of application and future plans
Joil Industries and KIMCO researchers plan to expand into various industrial sectors based on their innovative technology.
They are exploring a range of applications from automotive interior materials like seat covers and headliners to premium consumer goods such as bags and shoes, as well as composite materials for medical use and secondary battery components.
Additionally, they will conduct practical tests in collaboration with Hyundai Transys to verify the practicality of automotive interior materials. They are actively pursuing entry into the global market by participating in the 'Adidas Vendor Fair'.
Through these efforts, Joil Industries aims for an annual revenue target of 100 billion KRW and is establishing a medium- to long-term growth strategy.
Vegan leather market: A significant entry into the domestic market
Vegan leather is already being commercialized by several global brands such as Stella McCartney, Hermès, and Adidas. Joil Industries' recent technology development is expected to enhance the competitiveness of the domestic vegan leather market and contribute significantly to positioning Busan as a hub for eco-friendly material industries.
The research institute (KIMCO) plans to establish a cutting-edge testbed equipped with ▲ mycelium cultivation facilities ▲ vegan leather manufacturing lines ▲ reliability assessment equipment by 2027. In addition, it will provide technological advancement support to 220 synthetic leather companies and over 120 interior material manufacturers in the region, contributing to overall industrial development.
In the era of carbon neutrality, alternatives found in mushrooms
Vegan leather made from mushroom mycelium is emerging as a promising alternative material capable of addressing global challenges such as carbon neutrality, resource recycling, and ecosystem protection. Joil Industries' technological strength is significant in that it lays the foundation for sustainable and cost-effective domestic production of this material.
This achievement will add high value to the material industry in the Busan region and mark an important turning point in the transition to an eco-friendly industry. The city of Busan has stated that it will continue to support the sustainable growth of local industries and companies.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What is mushroom mycelium vegan leather?
An eco-friendly synthetic leather made from mushroom mycelium, characterized by fast growth and easy decomposition.
Mushroom mycelium vegan leather is an eco-friendly synthetic leather made using mycelium, which is a fine fiber similar to the roots of mushrooms. This mycelium grows quickly and decomposes easily, posing less burden on the environment. Additionally, it is cultivated using agricultural waste, making it a sustainable material.
Q. What distinguishes Joil Industries’ mushroom mycelium vegan leather technology?
A technology that has developed the first continuous production method in Korea for the industrial creation of eco-friendly vegan leather.
Joil Industries has collaborated with KIMCO to develop the continuous production method for vegan leather using mushroom mycelium for the first time in Korea. This technology is eco-friendly and contributes to low carbon and animal welfare solutions, advancing to a level applicable in the industrial field. The establishment of a continuous production system is noteworthy for overcoming production volume and quality limits.
Q. In what sectors does Joil Industries plan to utilize mushroom mycelium vegan leather?
Planned for various industrial fields including automotive interiors, fashion, medical, and secondary batteries.
Joil Industries and KIMCO researchers are exploring possibilities for expansion from automotive interior materials such as seats and headliners, to premium consumer goods such as bags and shoes, as well as composite materials for medical use and components for secondary batteries. They are conducting practical tests in cooperation with Hyundai Transys and pushing for entry into global brands.
Q. What significance does Joil Industries’ technology development hold in the domestic vegan leather market?
It enhances the competitiveness of the domestic vegan leather industry and fosters Busan as a hub for eco-friendly material industries.
Joil Industries' technology significantly improves the competitiveness of the domestic vegan leather market and contributes to growing Busan as a hub for vegan material industries. Supported by government and local authorities, they are working to build an advanced testbed by 2027 and provide technological support to local enterprises to promote overall industrial development.
Q. How does mushroom mycelium vegan leather contribute to eco-friendly industries?
It is an eco-friendly alternative material that makes carbon neutrality, resource recycling, and ecosystem protection possible.
Mushroom mycelium vegan leather supports low carbon emissions and resource recycling, making it a material that aligns with the era of carbon neutrality. It is easy to decompose and effectively uses resources by utilizing agricultural waste, serving as a beneficial alternative material for animal welfare and contributing to environmental protection. Joil Industries' technology lays the foundation for continuous and economical production of this material.
