The dangers of plastic and what it does to our planet has been a topic of concern in recent years. After embarking on a quest to solve the plastic problem, Finnish researchers may have found a solution in the form of a fungus. 

Fomes fomentarius is a fungus species nicknamed “tinder fungus” because it was historically used as a fire starter. Tinder fungus is basically a mushroom usually found growing on the bark of trees, mostly birch trees. It is also called “hoof fungus” because it is shaped like a hoof. 

One team at a technical research center in Finland thinks this fungus could be much more than what it was known for. These researchers have discovered tinder fungus has properties that can enable it to provide a natural, eco-friendly, and biodegradable alternative to plastics and other materials in the future. 

According to the paper, Science Advances, Fomes fomentarius fruiting bodies have a lightweight biological design. It is simple in composition but efficient in performance. “This fungus could be incredibly versatile because it has a very stiff and hard protective outer layer. It has a softer spongy mid-layer and a very strong inner layer,” according to one of the study’s coauthors, Dr Pezhman Mohammadi. 

To make the aforementioned products, tinder fungus would be needed in a very large quantity. The mushroom takes 7-10 years to grow to a significant size naturally in the wild. However, the researchers think they could produce plenty of it in a lab in a matter of weeks.