Provided is a process for forming a composite textile article that includes a biopolymer layer. The process includes providing a textile and contacting at least part of the textile with a culture comprising biopolymer-producing microorganisms and culturing the biopolymer-producing microorganisms to obtain a biopolymer layer on the textile. A silicone softening agent is provided to at least part of the biopolymer layer to obtain a composite textile, wherein the silicone comprises macro-silicone, semi-micro silicone, micro-silicone or nano-silicone. The composite textile article may be an elastic woven fabric or an elastic denim garment.

A leather-like material is disclosed composed of chitosan, bulk reinforcement agents such as microfibrillated cellulose, pigments, plasticizers, crosslinkers, and organic acids with properties making it suitable as a leather substitute material.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing mycelium mat into leather by using pH-controlled tannic acid. The method comprises the following steps: (1) inactivating the mycelium mat; (2) infiltrating the mycelium mat with a polysaccharide solution; (3) treating the polysaccharide-infused mycelium mat with a tannic acid solution; and (4) introducing a buffering agent to the tannic acid-treated mycelium mat. This innovative approach enhances the mechanical properties of the resulting leather, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional leather materials.