AGI Denim, Ecovative to convert waste denim into mycelium bricks

Denim manufacturer AGI Denim has joined forces with New York-based Ecovative, a pioneer in mycelium technology, to convert post-consumer waste denim into eco-friendly architectural and interior design materials. Their inaugural product is mycelium bricks made from discarded jeans.

Ecovative utilizes mycelium, the root-like structure of fungi, to create natural, biodegradable materials for textiles, packaging, and food alternatives. By incorporating recycled denim fibers into the mycelium feed mix, Ecovative and AGI Denim have developed a process to cultivate mycelium that forms a solid, biologically cemented structure. This substrate can be molded into various forms, including bricks.

AGI will unveil these mycelium bricks at Kingpins New York in an exhibition titled “Recycled Denim to Mycelium Constructs,” featuring decorative columns showcasing the versatility and aesthetic potential of the bricks. This collaboration aims to present a scalable sustainability model adaptable to various needs and standards.

Henry Wong, AGI Denim’s VP of product development and marketing, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “The potential application in solving the large-scale challenges we face as humans is so exciting. We are fortunate for this opportunity to work with such an innovative company like Ecovative to explore how their technologies can inspire the denim world.”

Additionally, AGI’s new creative consultancy, The Agency, has designed a garment collection incorporating Ecovative’s Forager Foam. This high-performance, pure mycelium foam, made using AirMycelium technology, offers breathable, insulating, water-repellent, and fire-resistant properties.