Chitin is the main component of the cell walls of fungi
Cellulose and chitin are two naturally occurring structural polymers, linear chains of polysaccharides (multiple sugars).
The key difference between them is that cellulose is the primary structural polymer in plant cell walls, while chitin is the main structural polymer in fungal cell walls.
Chitin is the second most abundant natural substance on Earth after cellulose. It is found not only in fungi but also in insects, crustaceans, snail shells, butterfly cocoons, and many other organisms.
Fungal paper could be produced locally from agricultural and industrial waste products, thereby avoiding long transport distances and reducing CO₂ emissions. Additionally, the labor-intensive processes of bark removal and other steps could be eliminated, significantly lowering both energy and water consumption.