News
MycoWorks enhances the performance of flagship biomaterial
Biomaterials company MycoWorks has shared the latest performance data for its premium flagship mycelium material, Reishi. According to the company, the latest test results show that Reishi is performing higher on a range of luxury leather benchmarks, setting a new bar for both the biomaterials industry and leather alternatives. Validated through third-party testing conduced by CTC Groupe, Reishi – with Rei- Tanning technology applied, a formula that enhances the performance consistency of Reishi sheets – has achieved new standards in five key qualitative evaluation areas, exceeding most indicators: ■ Bally Flex resistance (flexibility, creasing): till 20,000 cycles*
■ Martindale Abrasion Resistance: till 25,600 cycles*
■ Colorfastness (dye transfer): Reishi has passed the 200 cycles* for dry rub test (Veslic)
■ Ageing Test at 50°C and 90 % R.H. :Pass ■ Finish Adhesion: Reishi has reached 0.5N/mm*
(* Results achieved with the Reishi Aura finishing.)
Through a collaborative effort between
MycoWorks’ San Francisco-based Innovation Center and MycoWorks’ Spain tannery experts in the Igualada region, the company rolled out Rei-Tanning technology. The formula enables the production of luxury goods with intricate construction
techniques, including ‘stitch-and-turn’ and edge applications. During this nourishing process, Reishi sheets are treated to achieve desired properties such as fullness and softness, durability, and resistance to water and other elements. MycoWorks’ strategic partner, Ligne Roset, has also conducted proprietary tests on Reishi in its internal lab, using standards that exceed typical furniture industry benchmarks. These tests included the successful completion of the Martindale Abrasion Resistance test (up to 50,000 cycles) and a sitting simulation test (replicating a 100kg human body for over 25,000 cycles). Reishi is being used across a diverse range of industries including leather goods, accessories, furniture, and interior design. Customers can purchase MycoWorks’ high-performance mycelium- made materials directly with the launch of the company’s first ever e-commerce site at
https://reishi.mycoworks.com. Reishi is MycoWorks’ flagship product developed with Fine Mycelium technology, an artistic technique-turned-biotechnology that engineers mycelium to grow interwoven and interlocked at the cellular level. Continued research and development on MycoWorks’ Fine Mycelium with its strategic partners – Hèrmes, General Motors and Ligne Roset – on other products in the Fine Mycelium category have allowed these new learnings to be applied to the cultivation of Reishi Fine Mycelium.
Longchamp reports growth in 2024
The French leather goods label Longchamp has reported revenue growth of 20% for the 2024 fiscal year, according to reports. The company, which does not disclose its full revenue results, stated that all of its commercial regions and distribution channels contributed to this growth. Revenue grew by 33% in Europe, by 27% in the US, and by 93% in Korea. Longchamp said it had also performed well in the Middle East, where it has opened four new stores.
The company generated 19% of its revenue in France, 35% in the rest of Europe and the Middle East, 13% in the Americas and 34% in the Asia-Pacific
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region. Online sales were up by 30%, having doubled over two years. “Our growth has enabled us to create 800 new jobs in two years, half of them in France,” Longchamp stated. Its growth rate, however, for 2024 was below the 44% posted in 2023. Then, revenue was up by 84% in China. The company has not provided results for the country this time around.
Founded in 1948, the French leather goods label is a family company that employs 4,245 people worldwide. In 2024, it recruited and trained some 200 artisans in its workshops and is planning to do the same again in 2025.
Stahl opens US
Center of Excellence Stahl, a global company that produces speciality coatings and treatments for flexible materials, has opened a new Center of Excellence in Apex, North Carolina. It will act as a key innovation hub within the global network, supporting industries such as automotive, apparel, luxury goods, packaging, and home furnishings, as part of Stahl’s Performance Coatings business. Equipped with cutting-edge application technology, testing facilities, and pilot production capabilities, it provides a space where customers, OEMs and brand partners can co-develop and refine advanced solutions tailored to market needs. Establishing the Apex Center of Excellence aligns with Stahl’s commitment to strengthening its presence in this key region. North America represents a cornerstone of Stahl’s global strategy, with the US and Canada accounting for nearly 20% of total revenue. Including Central America, this share grows to 25%.
David Kuzdrall, managing director Stahl
North America, said: “We are excited to announce the opening of our new Center of Excellence, which will serve as a hub for innovation, expertise and collaboration. “This state-of-the-art facility will bring together a diverse team of highly skilled professionals who will drive forward our commitment to excellence, enabling our customers to stay ahead of the curve. The talented individuals based at the centre will work together to deliver cutting-edge solutions, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the coatings industry. “Their expertise and teamwork will foster a culture of continuous innovation and will be key to the ongoing success and growth of our organisation. We look forward to shaping the future together, touching lives, for a better world.”
Sustainability and creating a positive impact are at the core of Stahl’s business, according to the company. It participates in the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), has achieved platinum EcoVadis ratings, and ensures fair living wages for all employees. The Apex facility furthers these efforts by developing environmentally responsible coating solutions designed to meet industry standards while reducing environmental impact. Stahl has several Centers of Excellence. While Apex will focus on high-performance, low-impact coatings for automotive, luxury goods, fashion and footwear, furniture and upholstery, electronics and medical markets, others have different areas of expertise. For example, Guangzhou, China, counts leather goods and upholstery among its areas of expertise; Graulhet, France, cites edge paint; Leinfelden, Germany lists leather furniture upholstery; and Kanpur, India mentions sustainable leather technologies.
Leather International /
www.leathermag.com
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