1d 17h 25m

Year-end rates end Sun 7 Dec

Reports/Tocco Report: Bacterial Cellulose
2025-2026
Bacteria

Tocco Report: Bacterial Cellulose
2025-2026

The Future of Programmable Materials

Bacterial cellulose is no longer a laboratory anomaly. Secreted by acetic acid bacteria as a nanocellulose network of exceptional purity, it combines high crystallinity with unusual lightness and strength, and can be grown from nothing more complex than sugars or food-industry sidestreams. Its qualities: breathable, durable, and endlessly fine in structure, explain why it has become one of the most closely watched programmable materials of the moment.

What matters now is not promise but proof. This report follows the material through five distinct chapters, from pure cultures supplying membranes and films, to leather-adjacent sheets, composites with new strength profiles, engineered strains shaped by synthetic biology, and speculative projects that treat cellulose as a living system. Each case study is selected for its recency, visibility, and seriousness, where work is tangible, testable, and already shaping discourse. This report by Tocco team maps where bacterial cellulose stands in 2025-2026: who is producing it, how it is being applied, and which directions deserve attention now.

Glues & Adhesives 2030 Edition Report Cover

Explore This Report

Start with the Free Version or unlock the Full Report with deeper insights, case studies, and extra content.

  1. Pure Cultures - Growing Films from Living Microbes
  2. Sheets & Surfaces - Growing Leather Alternatives
  3. Blended Matter - Hybrids & Composites
  4. Engineered Cellulose - Synthetic Biology & Genetic Programming
  5. Living Futures - Responsive, Self-Healing, Speculative
  6. Glossary
Black rubber material

Materials in focus

Explore the innovative materials shaping the future

Biodegradable
Explore the evolving landscape of biodegradable materials with a focus on biodegradable plastics.

Biodegradable

Learn more
Recycled
Discover the benefits and challenges of recycled materials, as well as insights into how recycling transforms waste into valuable resources.

Recycled

Learn more
Bamboo
Introducing bamboo as an interesting alternative material. Learn about bamboo's incredible growth, and processing into textiles, paper, and construction materials.

Bamboo

Learn more
Mycelium
Get into the world of mycelium, and discover its applications and the potential it holds for revolutionizing packaging and product design.

Mycelium

Learn more
Silk
Discover the intricate world of silk, its rich history, production processes, and its ethical alternatives.

Silk

Learn more
Upcycled
A deep dive into upcycled materials, examining their pros and cons

Upcycled

Learn more
Cotton
Learn about cotton, the world's most used natural fibers, its environmental aspects and its significance in the global textile industry

Cotton

Learn more
Linen
Dive into the rich history and versatile applications of linen, and understand why linen remains a timeless and eco-friendly choice in the world of natural fabrics.

Linen

Learn more
Latex
Explore the world of latex, where we compare the properties, uses, and environmental impacts of natural and synthetic latex.

Latex

Learn more
Bioplastic
Dive into the world of bioplastics and their role in sustainable development, and understand the benefits and challenges of bioplastics to replace petroleum-based plastics

Bioplastic

Learn more
Hemp
Discover hemp and learn about its production from plant to fabric and its wide-ranging applications in textiles, construction, and beyond.

Hemp

Learn more
Leather
Explore the world of leather and its alternatives. From plant-based options to synthetic varieties, learn about technological advancements shaping the future of leather.

Leather

Learn more
Jute
Discover the versatile world of jute, its origin, cultivation, and its role in the global textile industry.

Jute

Learn more
Banana Fibre
Discover the unique and sustainable world of banana fibre, and learn about the process of extracting fibre from banana plants.

Banana Fibre

Learn more
Wool
Explore the world of wool and the latest innovations in wool alternatives, especially plant-based, cruelty-free options.

Wool

Learn more
Fur
Explore the history, environmental impact, and ethical considerations of fur in fashion - and discover alternatives like faux fur, wool fur, and lab-grown options.

Fur

Learn more
Sisal
A deep dive into sisal, its origins, cultivation, and environmental benefits.

Sisal

Learn more

What's inside?

JeNaCell (Evonik) | Germany Hydrogel dressings grown by bacteria, JeNaCell produces medical sheets of pure bacterial cellulose through controlled fermentation. Marketed as epicite®, the sterile hydrogel contains >95% isotonic saline, offering high moisture donation, strong exudate absorption, and pain-free removal. Stable, biocompatible, and residue-free, it is applied to chronic and acute wounds, showing how microbial biopolymers enter clinical practice at scale.
something

JeNaCell (Evonik) | Germany

Hydrogel dressings grown by bacteria, JeNaCell produces medical sheets of pure bacterial cellulose through controlled fermentation. Marketed as epicite®, the sterile hydrogel contains >95% isotonic saline, offering high moisture donation, strong exudate absorption, and pain-free removal. Stable, biocompatible, and residue-free, it is applied to chronic and acute wounds, showing how microbial biopolymers enter clinical practice at scale.

Other Available Reports

Expand your knowledge with our curated collection of industry-leading insights

Latest Design Stories

Weekly highlights from our community of innovators and pioneers