{"id":36243,"date":"2016-07-27T07:26:32","date_gmt":"2016-07-27T05:26:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rss.nova-institut.net\/public.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.biofuelsdigest.com%2Fbdigest%2F2016%2F07%2F21%2Fspider-couture-the-emergence-of-spider-silk-for-applications-from-fashion-to-protection%2F"},"modified":"2016-07-26T10:32:54","modified_gmt":"2016-07-26T08:32:54","slug":"spider-couture-the-emergence-of-spider-silk-for-applications-from-fashion-to-protection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/spider-couture-the-emergence-of-spider-silk-for-applications-from-fashion-to-protection\/","title":{"rendered":"Spider Couture: The emergence of spider silk for applications from fashion to protection"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since roughly three minutes after the Chinese figured out how to use silkworms, people have been dreaming of farming spider silk, for its exotic qualities of flexibility and strength.<\/p>\n

\n

Spider Silk Strength: Stronger Than Steel<\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nMaterial Toughness\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\nTensile Strength<\/b><\/td>\nWeight\u00a0<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Dragline spider silk<\/td>\n120,000-160,000<\/td>\n1,100-2,900<\/td>\n1.18-1.36<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kevlar<\/td>\n30,000-50,000<\/td>\n2,600-4,100<\/td>\n1.44<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Steel<\/td>\n2,000-6,000<\/td>\n300-2,000<\/td>\n7.84<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The problem with spiders<\/h4>\n

After roughly 2,000 years of stops and starts, an industry is emerging based in advanced biotechnology\u2019s ability to synthesize the proteins and ferment them. Turns out, getting the spiders to work like silkworms is like getting elite big-wave surfers to embrace the sport of curling.<\/p>\n

Well, it\u2019s actually worse than that. Spiders work alone, and here\u2019s the secret reason. They\u2019re cannibals. So, the yield curve goes down rapidly, as they devour each other. Eew.<\/p>\n

But, back to the product, not the questionable morality of spider world.<\/p>\n

Bolt Threads emerges<\/h4>\n

If there was any doubt of the allure and near-term appeal of these synthetic proteins, Bolt Threads raised $50 million in a Series C venture round<\/a> at the end of May, on top of the $40 million raised last year in the Series B, and Patagonia joined as a strategic partner to deploy the technology at some future date.<\/p>\n

Bolt Threads uses proprietary technologies to create Engineered Silk fibers based on proteins found in nature. These programmable fibers represent \u201cthe most significant innovation the textile industry has seen for decades.\u201d Bolt says. (Apparently the use of computers to program looms didn\u2019t quite make Bolt\u2019s innovation list \u2014 but we\u2019ll put spider silk, for sure, in the Top 3 if it realizes its promise).<\/p>\n

The founding team originally received grant funding from multiple sources, including the National Science Foundation, and raised Series A funding from Foundation Capital, Mission Bay Capital, and Zygote Ventures. Formation 8, Founders Fund, and Alafi Capital came in with Series B, and Nan Fung and Innovation Endeavors joined with Series C. Together with partners like Patagonia, Bolt Threads is pioneering more sustainable and non-toxic processes for textile manufacturing.<\/p>\n

So, a sector composed of one compelling technology at one innovative company? Hardly, though Bolt\u2019s legendary status as one of those half-dozen companies that used to fall out into the street every time you opened a closet door in Emeryville \u2014 there are others in the hunt.<\/p>\n

Bolt\u2019s take on Silk BioCouture<\/h4>\n

\u201cSilk is a wonderful, versatile fabric,\u201d says Bolt. \u201cIt\u2019s soft and breathable and remarkably warm. Woven silk\u2014think pajamas and silky dresses\u2014is very different from a silk knit, which was the original technical base layer. Silk has fallen out of favor for everyday wear because it is not an easy care fabric. (And for guys, silky shirts went out with disco.) Our fabrics will combine the best qualities of silk, but will look and feel quite different from traditional silk, and also be easier to wash and wear.\u201d<\/p>\n

And there\u2019s Kraig Biocraft<\/h4>\n

Last week we heard fascinating news from one of them. Michigan\u2019s Kraig Biocraft Laboratories received<\/a> a contract valued at up to $1.0 million, if the option phase is awarded, for the development of high performance fibers for protective apparel applications. The Company will deliver ballistic shoot packs constructed from its proprietary Dragon Silk material for performance testing.\u00a0 These shoot packs will be tested and evaluated for critical Soldier protective applications including ballistic impact.\u00a0 If awarded, the option phase will significantly expand this work with the US Army.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the big difference, technically?<\/h4>\n

But don\u2019t think for a second that Kraig is a fermenter of synthetic proteins. Rather, they re-engineered silkworms to produce spider silk. As Kraig puts it, \u201cOur technology simply harnesses that production capacity by introducing a genetically engineered silkworm that produces recombinant spider silk instead of mundane silk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sort of like re-programming the cow to provide chocolate milk.<\/p>\n

Well, actually, Kraig has created approximately twenty different genetically engineered spider silk fibers based on certain genetic sequences.<\/p>\n

\u201cDragon Silk scores very highly in tensile strength and elasticity, which makes it one of the toughest fibers known to man and the ideal material for many applications,\u201d stated Jon Rice, COO. \u201cProviding material for this ballistic shoot pack initiative is an important next step for Kraig and spider silk. This contract reinforces the many significant potential applications for recombinant spider silk. Today is a great day for spider silk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bolt is genetically engineering yeast and bacteria to excrete protein into the soup that they live in, while Kraig is engineering the worm.<\/p>\n

In this fermentation process microorganisms are grown in bulk, in a growth medium, Kraig estimates that fermentation technologies produce a 1,000 liter batch of GMO yeast or bacteria used to excrete recombinant protein costing $700,000 to $1,000,000 to produce and manage, and a cost of $35,000 to $50,000 per kilogram of silk protein, based on a protein yield of 20 grams of usable silk protein per liter. And there are costs for purification and wet-spinning added in on the back-end.<\/p>\n

By contrast, Kraig says it has a cost \u201cbelow the $300 per kilo threshold.\u201d\u00a0Now, that\u2019s say-so, and it\u2019s Kraig\u2019s, so caveat emptor on that one. But it gives us some starting points on cost.<\/p>\n

Alas, Kraig Labs is the only recombinant spider silk producer to provide performance specifications on our recombinant spider silk\u2019s strength and elasticity.<\/p>\n

The Market<\/h4>\n

In 2012, the global market for technical fibers reached approximately $133 billion.\u00a0 The demand for technical fibers is expected to reach $160 billion in 2018.\u00a0 In 2015, du Pont\u2019s segment sales in this market (with its products Kevlar, Tyvek, Typar, Nomex, and Sontara are estimated at $3.5 billion. In addition to the performance and technical fibers markets, the Company is targeting the multibillion-dollar silk market. The market for raw silk fibers alone is a $5 billion market.<\/p>\n

What do you do with it? Besides catching flies,\u00a0or flying through New York City.<\/h4>\n

The potential applications for spider silk products include the following textile markets:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Medical textiles<\/li>\n
  2. Geotextiles<\/li>\n
  3. Textiles used in Defense and Military<\/li>\n
  4. Safe and Protective Clothing<\/li>\n
  5. Filtration Textiles<\/li>\n
  6. Textiles used in Transportation<\/li>\n
  7. Textiles used in Buildings<\/li>\n
  8. Composites with Textile Structure<\/li>\n
  9. Functional and Supportive Textiles<\/li>\n
  10. Performance Sportswear<\/li>\n
  11. Traditional Fashion Apparel<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    A funky exotic military and protection app<\/h4>\n

    A new app has emerged, besides the anti-ballistic features (in English: bullet-proof vests). Turns out, we might be able to use spider silk as a fiber optic chemical sensor. So, sniffers. Who would\u2019ve thunk it?<\/p>\n

    Another in the Troika of Spideys<\/h4>\n

    Over in Germany, AMSilk just\u00a0raised a new capital round<\/a> (amount undisclosed, best we have is \u201cdouble-digit million EURO amount\u201d). AMSilk is focusing on medtech and industrials \u2014 and received support from AT Newtec and MIG, the existing institutional investors.<\/p>\n

    And the best news? It\u2019s already a commercial company.<\/p>\n

    AMSilk is also using\u00a0biotech\u00a0to develop an organic high-performance material modelled on spider silk. The company has already introduced a number of products and applications. Specifically, the biopolymers for use in medical technology, cosmetic and personal care products as well as our Biosteel fibers in industrial applications & textiles.<\/p>\n

    The capital raised will allow AMSilk to implement the next steps of their growth strategy. Plans include increasing production of the high-performance fiber BIOSTEEL, financing the clinical studies of medical products and expanding the distribution activities of the cosmetic ingredients and personal care division.<\/p>\n

    Together with a leading European manufacturer of breast implants, AMSilk plans to conduct a clinical study on breast implants coated with AMSilk silk biopolymers. The market introduction of the silk-coated breast implants, whose tolerability is significantly higher compared to conventional breast implants, is expected to take place already in 2017.<\/p>\n

    Additionally, AMSilk plans further investments in the field of application technology to use the AMSilk high-performance biopolymers in cosmetic ingredients as well as to further enhance the patent position of the company, which currently includes more than 20 patent families.<\/p>\n

    The Bottom Line<\/h4>\n

    Peter Parker \u2014 not your ordinary dude, and neither are these three companies coming along. Exciting stuff. Watch this space.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Since roughly three minutes after the Chinese figured out how to use silkworms, people have been dreaming of farming spider silk, for its exotic qualities of flexibility and strength. Spider Silk Strength: Stronger Than Steel Material Toughness\u00a0 Tensile Strength Weight\u00a0 Dragline spider silk 120,000-160,000 1,100-2,900 1.18-1.36 Kevlar 30,000-50,000 2,600-4,100 1.44 Steel 2,000-6,000 300-2,000 7.84 The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","nova_meta_subtitle":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5572],"tags":[6026,5796,11323,12417],"supplier":[934,7169,10095,337,4164,1734],"class_list":["post-36243","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bio-based","tag-biopolymers","tag-biotechnology","tag-naturalfibers","tag-proteins","supplier-amsilk-gmbh","supplier-at-newtec-gmbh","supplier-bolt-threads","supplier-dupont","supplier-mig-fonds","supplier-patagonia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36243","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36243"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36243\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36243"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36243"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36243"},{"taxonomy":"supplier","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/renewable-carbon.eu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/supplier?post=36243"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}