Chitin, present in the mycelium, has remarkable mechanical properties as a biopolymer demonstrating significant structural strength and flexibility for many different species optimized for specific functionalities. Many of the toughest structures that we see in nature, use chitin as an armor for protection and defense, e.g. insect cuticles, crustacean shells and mollusc nacre. This property makes mycelium-based products naturally fire retardant making them safer than alternatives in the market.