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Scientists Discover a Fungus Stronger Than Plastic — And It’s Been Hiding in Forests

For thousands of years, humans have relied on nature for survival — for food, shelter, medicine, and even tools to make fire. One such gift from the forest is the tinder fungus, a mushroom that grows quietly on the bark of rotting trees. It has been known for centuries as an excellent fire starter, helping humans survive in cold climates long before matches or lighters were invented.

But now, this ancient fungus may be stepping into a completely new role — as a replacement for certain plastics. And if scientists succeed, it could change how we make materials in the future, reduce plastic waste, and create more sustainable products.

This fascinating possibility comes from new research published in the journal Science Advances, led by scientists at the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland.

Meet the Fungus: Fomes fomentarius

The tinder fungus, scientifically known as Fomes fomentarius, is not just any mushroom. It grows on rotting beech and birch trees, often forming large, hoof-shaped growths on the trunk.

Historically, it was an essential survival tool. People in ancient Europe used it to catch and hold sparks when starting a fire. Its spongy, dry interior could keep a slow, smoldering burn for hours — perfect for carrying fire from one place to another.

But while this mushroom’s past is rooted in human survival, its future may lie in cutting-edge material science.

A Structure That Nature Perfected

The research team at VTT wanted to understand why tinder fungus is so strong yet lightweight. When they analyzed its internal structure, they found something remarkable:

  • The fungus has three distinct layers, each with different properties.

  • The outer layer is stiff and hard, offering protection.

  • The middle layer is soft and spongy, providing shock absorption.

  • The inner layer is strong and tough, giving it structural integrity.

According to the study, this combination of layers gives F. fomentarius a strength similar to plywood or leather, but at a much lighter weight. That’s impressive — plywood is used in construction, and leather is prized for its durability.

Dr. Pezhman Mohammadi, a senior scientist at VTT and co-author of the study, explained that each layer could outperform a different class of man-made or natural materials. This opens the door for creating replacements for certain grades of plastic, shock-absorbing materials, or even composites used in packaging, consumer goods, and sports equipment.

Why Replace Plastics?

Plastic has become one of the most widely used materials in the world, but it also comes with huge environmental problems:

  • Non-biodegradable: Many plastics take hundreds of years to decompose.

  • Pollution: Plastic waste clogs landfills, pollutes oceans, and harms wildlife.

  • Fossil Fuel Dependency: Most plastics are made from petroleum, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

If a biodegradable, renewable, and strong alternative like tinder fungus could replace even a fraction of plastic use, it could have a massive impact on the environment.

The Problem with Wild Harvesting

While the idea is exciting, there’s one big limitation: tinder fungus grows slowly in nature.

In the wild, it can take 7 to 10 years for a single fungus to reach a substantial size. That’s far too slow for industrial production. Plus, it plays a vital role in the forest ecosystem — helping decompose rotting trees and recycle nutrients back into the soil. Overharvesting it could harm these ecosystems.

Lab-Grown Solutions

To avoid damaging nature, researchers are working on growing tinder fungus in laboratories.

At VTT, scientists have already made the first steps toward this goal. Using industrial biotechnology, they believe it’s possible to grow metric tons of the fungus within weeks rather than years.

How? By using large bioreactors — massive tanks where the fungus can grow in a controlled environment. VTT already operates 1,000-liter pilot-scale bioreactors for similar purposes, making this vision more realistic.

However, scaling up production will take time. As Dr. Mohammadi points out, “Like any starting technology, it would take some years of R&D to be realized fully.”

From Mushroom to Material

So, how would we actually turn tinder fungus into a replacement for plastic?

The process would involve:

  1. Growing the fungus in bioreactors using natural, plant-based nutrients.

  2. Harvesting and processing the fungal material.

  3. Shaping and treating it to create materials with specific properties — stiff panels, soft cushioning, or flexible sheets.

The versatility of the fungus’s layers means different parts could be used for different products — much like how animal hides can be turned into leather for shoes, bags, or furniture.

Applications Beyond Plastics

While the most obvious use is replacing some types of plastic, scientists see many other potential applications:

  • Shock-absorbing components for helmets, protective gear, or packaging.

  • Lightweight panels for furniture or vehicles.

  • Eco-friendly fashion materials, potentially replacing leather in bags, belts, or shoes.

  • Sustainable sports equipment, such as padding or lightweight boards.

And because the fungus is biodegradable, these products would return safely to the environment at the end of their life cycle.

Nature-Inspired Engineering

This research is part of a growing field called biomimicry — designing materials and technology inspired by nature’s solutions.

Nature has spent millions of years perfecting efficient designs. From the structure of spider silk to the toughness of seashells, scientists are finding that living organisms often have better answers than human-made materials.

The tinder fungus is another example of this wisdom: a simple, natural structure that combines strength, lightness, and sustainability.

Challenges Ahead

While the potential is huge, several challenges remain:

  • Scaling up production: Moving from lab experiments to industrial quantities is expensive and technically complex.

  • Consistency: Natural materials can vary; manufacturers will need consistent quality for large-scale use.

  • Cost: At first, fungal materials may be more expensive than plastics, though costs could drop as production improves.

  • Public acceptance: People might hesitate to use products made from fungi until they become more familiar.

Why This Matters

The global demand for plastics is enormous — over 400 million tons are produced every year. Even replacing a small percentage with sustainable alternatives could:

  • Reduce pollution.

  • Cut greenhouse gas emissions.

  • Lower dependence on fossil fuels.

  • Inspire more innovation in eco-friendly materials.

This is why research like the VTT study is so important. It’s not just about making something new — it’s about changing how we think about materials altogether.

A Glimpse into the Future

Imagine a future where:

  • Your phone case is made from fungus instead of petroleum-based plastic.

  • Your bicycle helmet uses fungal cushioning instead of synthetic foam.

  • Your handbag is made from fungus-based leather.

  • At the end of their life, these items naturally decompose, leaving no trace of waste behind.

This isn’t science fiction — it’s a possibility within our lifetime if research continues.

From Campfires to Cutting-Edge Science

The story of tinder fungus is a beautiful reminder of how ancient knowledge and modern science can come together. What once helped our ancestors survive harsh winters might soon help our planet survive the age of plastic.

As Dr. Mohammadi and his team push forward, the tinder fungus may move from the forest floor to factory floors — and eventually, to homes, offices, and cities worldwide.

It’s a perfect example of turning to nature not just for inspiration, but for real, tangible solutions.

If we can learn to grow and use this remarkable fungus wisely, it could be one more step toward a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.

Reference: 

  • Robert Pylkkänen et al.
    •  
,
The complex structure of Fomes fomentarius represents an architectural design for high-performance ultralightweight materials.Sci. Adv.9,eade5417(2023).DOI:10.1126/sciadv.ade5417

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