# Magical Mycelium Molds Growing Car Parts From Mushrooms Could Become Commonplace By Katie Cordrey | Published 2011-02-05 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/car-parts-from-mushrooms References: [impactlab.net](http://www.impactlab.net/2011/02/03/in-the-future-your-car-may-be-made-of-mushrooms/) & [aolnews](http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/02/mushroom-roots-chicken-feathers-could-be-key-to-making-cars-mor/) Growing car parts from mushrooms is just one of many [new materials technologies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mycelium-wall) that are being explored to reduce the carbon footprint of auto manufacturing. According to [Ford Motor Co.](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/short-film-mushroom)’s Deborah Mielewski, Ford scientists hope to produce car parts from a mixture of [mushroom roots and wheat straw](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reishi-mushroom-printable-material) grown inside an appropriately shaped mold. If the experiments prove successful, growing car parts from mushrooms could become a commonplace practice in the production of future automobiles. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.0/10 - Popularity: 20% | Activity: 93% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Sustainable Manufacturing:** Mushroom-based car parts represent a disruptive innovation in sustainable manufacturing. - **Biodegradable Materials:** The use of mycelium in car parts is part of a wider trend towards biodegradable materials. - **Circular Economy:** Mushroom-based manufacturing represents a step towards a more circular economy, where waste is minimized and materials are reused. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Automotive:** The automotive industry has the potential to benefit greatly from the adoption of new, sustainable manufacturing techniques. - **Materials Science:** The use of mycelium in car parts represents a potential opportunity for innovation in materials science. - **Sustainability:** The development of mushroom-based car parts is emblematic of a wider trend towards sustainability in manufacturing and production. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mushroom Leather Seating Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mushroom-leather-seating.md) - [Compact Mycelium Biohybrid Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mushroom-robot.md) - [Mushroom-Derived Hybrid Meats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mush-foods.md) - [Mycelium Leather Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/myco-travel-pouch.md) - [Mycelium-Growing 3D-Printed Scaffolds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dprinted-scaffold.md) - [Furry Mycelium Sustainable Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aifunghi.md) - [Luxury Mycelium Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stella-mccartney-frayme-mylo.md) - [Cooling Mushroom Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mushroom-packaging-1.md) - [Eco-Friendly Biomaterial Cycling Helmets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biomaterial-cycling-helmet.md)