Biotech Firm Looking to Commercialize Spider Silk for Textiles
Spider silk is strong and flexible, but developing it commercially has been problematic.
Lansing, Mich.–based biotech company Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc. has obtained proprietary genetic engineering technology to create recombinant fibers based on the spider-silk gene sequences.
The company is developing the fibers for the high-strength and performance markets.
The company has what it believes is a “practical and cost-effective” means for producing spider silk–based fibers “on an industrial scale.”
Kraig Biocraft is working with Spring City, Tenn.–based safety- and protective-fabric manufacturer SSM Industries to jointly commercialize recombinant spider silk, which Kraig Biocraft is calling Monster Silk.
SSM Industries’ products are used by the U.S. military, the auto-racing industry, firefighters, first responders and industrial applications.
Together the two companies plan to develop knitted and woven textiles made from Monster Silk.
“SSM Industries Inc. is an American company with a proven track record of innovation and excellence in technical textiles and protective apparel, so we are delighted to be working with them,” said Kraig Chief Executive Officer and founder Kim Thompson in a statement. “This … is a big step forward in moving our spider-silk products from the laboratory and toward meeting the increasing demand for innovative, high-strength materials; technical textiles; and protective composites. I believe that it greatly accelerates Kraig’s access to critical protective-clothing and technical markets.”
For more information, visit www.kraiglabs.com. —Alison A. Nieder
