The fire-protection potential of mycelium leather

A wildfire jacket prototype created by RMIT researchers could, they believe, help shape the next generation of protective clothing.

Made from fungal networks cultivated using agricultural waste and water, RMIT said the material — mycelium leather — has met international safety benchmarks, achieving OEKO‑TEX STANDARD 100 Product Class II certification, confirming it is safe for direct skin contact.

Mycelium wildfire jacket prototype. Image: RMIT University

Mycelium wildfire jacket prototype. Image: RMIT University

“Heading into another bushfire season made me reflect on the growing impacts fire has on communities, landscapes and ecosystems,” said Dr Tien Huynh from RMIT’s School of Science. “We’re exploring how sustainable biomaterials can support broader conversations about environmental resilience, climate adaptation and regeneration.”

Dr Judith Glover (left) in the design studio with the mycelium wildfire jacket prototype. Image: RMIT University

Mycelium wildfire jacket prototype. Image: RMIT University

The material used in the prototype meets factors for gear used by firefighters, RMIT said, including durability, fire resistance, thermal insulation and ability to self‑extinguish. RMIT also said that earlier studies Huynh has been involved in (see, for example, doi: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2023.110419 — ‘Fireproofing flammable composites using mycelium’) also point to mycelium as a promising material for fireproof architectural cladding.

Standard vs mycelium leather burning experiment. Video: RMIT University

“Mycelium is an extraordinary material — it potentially replaces materials with bigger ecological rucksacks and forever chemicals with a biodegradable material grown from agricultural waste — and working with it challenges us to rethink how protective clothing could be made in the future,” said Dr Judith Glover from RMIT’s School of Design.

Mycelium wildfire jacket prototype. Image: RMIT University

The jacket is currently on display at the NGV in its ‘Plant Life: The Nature of Design’ exhibition, running until 7 February 2027.

Top image: Mycelium wildfire jacket prototype. Image: RMIT University