Novel biobased materials from fungal hyphae and cellulose fibers have been proposed to address the increasing demand for natural materials in personal protective equipment (PPE). Materials containing commercially available kraft fibers (KF), laboratory-made highly fibrillated hemp fibers (HF) and fungal fibers (FF) obtained from fruiting bodies of lignicolous basidiomycetes growing in nature were prepared using paper production techniques and evaluated for their mechanical and air permeability properties. SEM and microscopy revealed the network structure of materials. The tensile index of materials was in the range of 8–60 Nm/g and air permeability ranged from 32–23,990 mL/min, depending on the composition of materials. HF was the key component for strength; however, the addition of FF to compositions resulted in higher air permeability. Chemical composition analysis (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) revealed the presence of natural polysaccharides, mainly cellulose and chitin, as well as the appropriate elemental distribution of components C, H and N. Biodegradation potential was proven by a 30-day-long composting in substrate, which resulted in an 8–62% drop in the C/N ratio. Conclusions were drawn about the appropriateness of fungal hyphae for use in papermaking-like technologies together with cellulose fibers. Developed materials can be considered as an alternative to synthetic melt and spun-blown materials for PPE.

Growing environmental concerns have led to the search for alternative biological repellents against the large pine weevil Hylobius abietis L., Europe’s most important coniferous forest regeneration pest. A laboratory study was carried out to assess the effectiveness (damage intensity) of six combinations of a novel biological repellent, consisting of plant-based oils, beeswax, calcium carbonate, vanillin, pine bark extractives, terpentine, abrasive particles, solvent, and a viscosity agent, in comparison with commercially available repellent Norfort LDW 115. The application complexity of the repellents, their persistence on seedlings, and the extent of H. abietis damage were evaluated. The five alternative repellents had higher protection compared to the control repellent, highlighting the potential for new alternative repellents. The base (without additives) repellent provided the highest protection, indicating a redundancy of admixtures. A mixed cumulative link model, employed to estimate differences between the repellents, estimated 85% undamaged and none significantly damaged saplings in the case of the base repellent. However, the consistency and hence persistence of certain repellents on plantlets would benefit from improvements; further field studies are needed to upscale the test of the stability and efficiency of high levels in real environments under different H. abietis population pressures.