Energy + Environment, Products + Technology

Bio-Based Fiber Textiles From Fungus & Plant Roots

David Shiller December 15, 2023

Companies are beginning to produce fiber textiles, also known as biofabric, from fungus mycelium and plant roots. The following are two interesting examples.

My Glo produces luminaires (light shades) and other home décor items from fungus mycelium. See the image above and directly below. The mycelium light shades are flame resistant, help clean the air, and provide acoustic absorption. The products are more sustainable and reduce carbon footprint of fixtures. More information on My Glo products can be found here: http://www.myglo.live/.

The artist Diana Scherer, in The Netherlands, is making waves with her plant root grown textiles. See the three images below. Scherer grows grasses and other plants to generate “domesticated” plant root fabrics. More information is available here: https://dianascherer.nl.

Do you know examples of other bio-based textiles with potential use in the lighting industry? Please share in the comment section below.

Top Image: My Glo fungus mycelium pendant shades.

Bio-Based Fiber Textiles From Fungus & Plant Roots

Image: My Glo fungus mycelium shades

Image: Diana Scherer plant root textile

David Shiller

David Shiller is the Publisher of LightNOW, and Senior Business Development Consultant at Capacity Consulting, a North American consulting firm providing business development services to advanced lighting manufacturers. The ALA awarded David the Pillar of the Industry Award. David has been co-chair of the ALA’s Engineering Committee since 2010. David established MaxLite’s OEM component sales into a multi-million dollar division. He invented GU24 lamps while leading ENERGY STAR lighting programs for the US EPA. David has been published in leading lighting publications, including LD+A, enLIGHTenment Magazine, LEDs Magazine, and more.

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