The Cadillac brand of General Motors Co. in Detroit is collaborating with MycoWorks in California to develop a new class of material for high-performance automotive interiors.
The new material, intended to one day have the same applications as leather, incorporates mycelium, which is the renewable root structure of mushrooms, and other bio-based ingredients.
Grown using MycoWorks technology — Fine Mycelium — this material may eventually enable Cadillac to deliver the high-end aesthetic the brand is known for using renewable materials. Additionally, the future goal of Fine Mycelium is to provide superior strength, offering potential improvements in weight reduction and efficiency while still meeting the most stringent of quality requirements, according to Cadillac.
As part of the collaboration, Cadillac has designed a card holder accessory incorporating this innovative material to serve as proof of concept of its versatility.
“The Fine Mycelium material is a pure example and exploration of revolutionary resources and collaborations that contribute to an innovative design future,” says Hannah Dunbar, an industrial designer at Cadillac. “Working with the material and learning about its unique properties, will help to create beautiful texture options impacting future automotive interior applications.”
Cadillac’s exploration using MycoWorks’ Fine Mycelium will be a first for the automotive industry. It underscores, says the automaker, the brand’s dedication to forward-thinking design, technological advancements, and offering innovative materials and resources for automotive designers.
The first demonstration includes materials showcased in an iridescent finish in a soft hue color palette, complementing the brand’s “bold and sophisticated” design aesthetic.
Cadillac’s color, materials, and finishes design team is reportedly actively exploring further applications for this new material.
