AMSilk and BRAIN Biotech successfully improve structural proteins for performance biomaterials.

© BRAIN Biotech

Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

AMSilk and BRAIN Biotech Achieve Milestone in Biodegradable Materials Performance

German Biotech AMSilk GmbH and BRAIN Biotech, a leading provider of solutions for the biologization industry, have been working for a year to create top-notch protein-based fibers for the performance materials sector. Now, at the end of the first phase of the collaboration, they announce that they have successfully optimized a specific natural structural protein for high-performance biomaterials and registered the first patent application for this optimization process — marking a significant milestone for the future sustainable textile industry. Recently, Gudrun Vogtentanz, CSO at AMSilk, commented: “Together with BRAIN Biotech, we are bringing tailor-made material solutions to the market that not only meet the needs of customers but are sustainable. This will enable us to revolutionize the performance materials market in the long term, which is currently dominated …

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AMSilk and 21st.BIO join forces to scale silk protein materials production.

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Materials

AMSilk and 21st.BIO Forge Alliance to Scale Bioproduced Spider Silk Proteins “From Kilos to Tons”

German Biotech AMSilk GmbH announces a partnership with the Danish bioproduction leader 21st.BIO, to accelerate the production of advanced bioproduced spider silk proteins to meet the growing demand for sustainable material solutions. As part of the collaboration, 21st.BIO has developed precision-fermented microorganisms that can be used to produce silk proteins on an industrial scale. According to 21st.BIO, the new strain ensures the extracellular expression of silk proteins while enabling biomanufacturing at unprecedented productivity levels, supporting higher yield, greater efficiency, and reduced production costs.  Gudrun Vogtentanz, CSO at AMSilk, shares: “Through 21st.BIO, we now have access to more efficient production strains, which are a game changer in terms of the efficiency and sustainability of our feedstock. Moving production quantities from kilos to tons brings AMSilk’s technology to the next …

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AMSilk spider web

Image: AMSilk on Instagram

Materials

AMSilk Secures Additional €25M, Totalling €54M for Bioproduced Silk Protein Materials

AMSilk GmbH, a German provider of biofabricated silk protein materials, has announced a successful €25 million raise in its extended Series C round, bringing the total to €54 million. The additional funding was led by previous investor ATHOS (AT Newtec), with contributions from Novo Holdings, Cargill, and MIG Capital. The Munich-based biotech leverages its technology platform, based on vegan silk proteins, to create 100% fully biodegradable and microplastic-free silk materials that will contribute to building a zero-waste society. They can be used in multiple applications, from powders, hydrogels, textile fibres, aerospace applications, and coatings for the medical, automotive, and textile industries.  Expanding commercial operations “We are delighted to have closed this successful financing round which validates our technology and underpins our ongoing development as we …

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adidas trainer made with amsilk vegan textile

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Materials

AMSilk: New Collab Aims to Develop High-Performance Biobased Vegan Fibres

AMSilk, the biotech-based vegan silk material innovator, has announced a collaboration with BRAIN Biotech, a leader in developing and manufacturing biobased solutions and products, to develop high-performance vegan fibres for textiles and other applications. According to AMSilk, its partnership with BRAIN Biotech will leverage its expertise to optimise specific properties of structural proteins necessary for developing a new type of resistant fibres. The two German bio-economy frontrunners said they are teaming up to revolutionize the performance materials market with new bio-fabricated sustainable materials that can replace petroleum-based textile fibres, a primary source for microplastics and non-biodegradable fashion garments. “Bio-fabricated products hold enormous potential as sustainable material solutions for the future.”  A sustainable future through biobased solutions Recently relocated to Campus Neuried in Munich, AMSilk is …

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Adidas X AMSilk

Adidas X AMSilk

Materials

AMSilk Moves to New Site, Will Produce “Game Changing” Vegan Silk at Industrial Scale

AMSilk, a German producer of bio-based silk alternatives, is relocating to new headquarters at Campus Neuried in Munich. Campus Neuried is a laboratory and office space development for companies across various industries. AMSilk’s purpose-built headquarters will cover over 2000m2 at the site, featuring pilot plants alongside biotech labs and offices. The footprint is three times the size of the company’s previous office space. The new site will support AMSilk in expanding beyond Europe and scaling up production, as the company works to produce several thousand tons of fibres per year within the next three to five years. AMSilk’s fibres are vegan, fully biodegradable, and produced only with renewable plant-based raw materials. AMSilk applications While the fashion industry is the most obvious application for vegan silk, …

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Adidas X AMSilk

Adidas X AMSilk

Materials

AMSilk, World’s First Industrial Supplier of Vegan Silk, Appoints Klaus Kjeldal to Upscale Operations

AMSilk, a leader in the production of innovative high-performance bio-based silk materials, based in Munich Germany, announces the appointment of Klaus Kjeldal as Chief Production Officer (CPO) and Managing Director (MD). Klaus was most recently Head of Operations Enzymes at BASF and has previously worked for Uniobio, Novozymes and Orkla Foods. Klaus brings his experience in global operations and an understanding of product development, purchasing, engineering, process improvements, internal logistics and contract manufacturing. Leading the bio silk industry across multiple applications AMSilk’s operations include cover silk fibres – high-performance textile solutions which are recyclable and 100% biodegradable, and Medtech – safe and biocompatible biotech materials. In May 2021 the company raised €29M in Series C funding led by Novo Growth, the growth equity arm of …

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AMSilk vegan spider silk

© AMSilk

Materials

AMSilk Vegan Silk Can Prevent Infections and Post-Op Complications, Says New Study 

A new study has demonstrated that AMSilk engineered vegan spider silk coatings have the potential to prevent inflammation and reduce post-operative complications of implants. AMSilk is one of the world’s first industrial suppliers of vegan silk biopolymers, with results showing the repellence properties of its coatings reduced microbial adherence up to 99.7%.  The study, published in the MRS Communications journal, was led by Professor Thomas Scheibel, Professor of Biomaterials and Head of the Department at the University of Bayreuth, Germany. His team tested the microbe repellence of AMSilk engineered spider silk coatings on a number of silicone implant materials against bacterial strains. The results proved the vegan spider silk coatings work by creating an anti-adhesive “bioshield” thus reducing the chance of infections considerably.  Headquartered in …

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Mercedes-Benz VISION EQXX

©Mercedes-Benz

Fashion, Design & Beauty

Mercedes-Benz Opts for AMSilk Vegan Materials in New Concept Car 

AMSilk GmbH, the biotech-based vegan silk material innovator, has announced a new partnership with German car giant Mercedes-Benz. The collaboration will see the development of novel, sustainable car door pulls, as part of the car manufacturer’s latest technology program. “Amid a fresh wave of ambitious climate pledges, we are proud to be playing a leading role in providing solutions for a zero-waste future” Called the VISION EQXX, the new concept car features organic and sustainable interior materials throughout, including the new door pulls made from AMSilk’s Biosteel fiber. The high-strength, certified-vegan, silk-like fabric is made using AMSilk’s proprietary biotechnology, with the company claiming to be the world’s first industrial supplier of vegan silk biopolymers which are 100% biodegradable, renewable, and zero waste.  The all-electric VISION …

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