[pageLogInLogOut]

#Raw Materials

Evonik and AMSilk extend partnership for sustainable biotech silk materials

Evonik and AMSilk, a global leader in advanced biomaterials based on silk proteins, have deepened their collaboration with a long-term agreement to produce sustainable silk proteins at industrial scale. Building on their initial manufacturing agreement from 2023, the companies have commissioned a manufacturing line at Evonik’s Slovakian site for AMSilk’s high-performance silk. This innovative biomaterial is produced with minimal environmental impact and is designed for use in premium fashion and highly demanding automotive interiors.
Evoniks fermentation facility in Slovakia © 2025 Evonik
Evoniks fermentation facility in Slovakia © 2025 Evonik


“Our collaboration with AMSilk is a powerful example of how together we can shape the future of materials through biotechnology. By scaling production of sustainable silk proteins, we are not only expanding our portfolio of precision biosolutions — we are creating solutions that enhance life and redefine what’s possible,” said Guido Skudlarek, Head of the Health Care business line, Evonik.

Evonik has established a dedicated production line at its biotech production hub in Slovakia. Equipped with advanced infrastructure, upgraded systems, and renewable energy, the facility enables consistent monthly output of several tons of AMSilk’s high-performance silk proteins. Tailored to AMSilk’s process requirements, the line meets certified industrial quality standards for spinning-grade biomaterials and supports the Company’s market entry phase.

Ctibor Kohutovic, Chief Production Officer at AMSilk added: “Building on our earlier successful cooperation with Evonik as a trusted partner, we have signed this agreement and jointly designed a dedicated, specialized manufacturing line for the precision fermentation of AMSilk’s biomaterials, providing increased output and efficiency, alongside reduced material unit cost. This lays the foundation for the next phase of our growth while ensuring reliable supply for our customers.”

AMSilk transforms the silk protein powder produced by Evonik into high-performance yarns, which offer premium production quality and regulatory compliance, including full supply chain transparency from European manufacturing. AMSilk’s biomaterials are designed with sustainability at their core. Vegan, biodegradable and derived from renewable plant-based carbon, these biomaterials leave no microplastics at the end of their lifecycle. AMSilk addresses a total protein fiber market — including silk, cashmere, and merino – valued at approximately €26 billion. Within this, the Company targets a €16 billion serviceable market.

Drawing on deep expertise in fermentation, from strain development and process optimization to large-scale manufacturing, Evonik helps innovators scale disruptive technologies in the life sciences industry including pharmaceutical excipients, personal care, advanced foods and nature-identical materials. With over 4,000 m³ of CDMO fermentation capacity across sites in the US and Europe, Evonik serves as a global one-stop-shop for biotech production, supporting projects of any scale and complexity.

Evonik leverages biotechnology to deliver high-value, sustainable solutions across diverse markets, expanding its portfolio of precision biosolutions. Its collaboration with AMSilk reflects a shared belief in biotechnology’s potential to unlock transformative alternatives to fossil-based products and reduce environmental impact across industries. Biotechnology often uses renewable raw materials, operates under milder conditions, and can generate fewer emissions and waste, making it in many cases more sustainable than fossil-based or conventional chemical processes.


More News from AMSilk GmbH

#Man-Made Fibers

AMSilk appoints Jeno Schadrack as CFO ahead of key growth financing round

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk”), a global leader in bio engineered performance materials made from silk proteins, today announces the appointment of Jeno Schadrack as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He will assume full responsibility for the finance function.

#Natural Fibers

AMSilk’s silk protein yarns debut in Balenciaga collection

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk”), a global leader in advanced biomaterials made from silk proteins, today announced that its bioengineered yarns are featured in commercially available garments within Balenciaga’s Spring 2026 collection.

#Yarn & Fiber

AMSilk secures EUR 52M strategic financing to accelerate commercial growth

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk”), a frontrunner in advanced biomaterials made from silk-based proteins, today announced it has successfully secured EUR 52 million financing led by existing investor ATHOS (AT Newtec), along with strong participation from fellow existing investors MIG Capital and Novo Holdings. The financing combines EUR 30 million in equity, and EUR 22 million in convertible bonds. This reflects strong investor confidence and long-term commitment in AMSilk’s technology and market potential.

#Raw Materials

AMSilk announces successful partnership negotiation with Ajinomoto for industrial fermentation

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk/the Company”), a frontrunner in advanced biomaterials made from spider silk-based proteins, today announces that the Company and Ajinomoto Foods Europe (AFE), a company with over 50 years of experience in industrial fermentation, and the affiliate of the globally established Ajinomoto group, have expressed mutual interest to step into a long-term partnership to biomanufacture silk proteins at Ajinomoto Foods Europe’s manufacturing facility in Nesle, France.

More News on Raw Materials

#Raw Materials

The 83rd Plenary Meeting: Reports from the ICAC Secretariat

Every year, one of the most anticipated sessions at the International Cotton Advisory Committee's (ICAC) Plenary Meeting is the Reports from the Secretariat — and the 83rd edition in Bremen, Germany, did not disappoint.

#Raw Materials

A Powerful Opening: Global thought leaders launch the International Cotton Conference Bremen

The International Cotton Conference Bremen will open on 25 March 2026 in the Parliament building of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen with a keynote session of exceptional calibre. Distinguished international experts will set the stage for the conference by offering incisive perspectives on the most pressing challenges and the defining trends shaping the future of the global cotton trade. Their insights will span a broad spectrum — from geopolitically driven disruptions affecting global supply chains to the opportunities emerging from innovation-led agriculture capable of supporting a growing world population. Together, these opening keynotes will frame the dialogue of the conference, highlighting both the complexity of today’s market environment and the pathways toward a resilient and forward-looking cotton sector.

#Raw Materials

Lenzing Group positions bio‑based materials as a strategic asset for Europe’s economic security

The Lenzing Group, a leading supplier of regenerated cellulose fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, hosted a high‑level roundtable in Brussels to discuss how bio‑based materials can strengthen Europe’s economic security and support the shift toward a fossil‑free future. Organized in cooperation with Euractiv, the event brought together representatives of the European Commission, the UK Mission to the EU, academia, civil society, and industry.

#Natural Fibers

Beyond Cotton: Natural Fibres in the Spotlight at the Bremen Cotton Conference - Branded by DNFI

Climate targets, fragile supply chains, and rising regulatory requirements are fundamentally changing the perspective of the textile industry - the focus is increasingly shifting toward the base material. Not only cotton, but natural fibres are gaining significant importance: they stand out not only because of their outstanding functional properties, but also because they make a valuable contribution to the bioeconomy and responsible product development.

Latest News

#Textile processing

Major expansion for ACG Kinna follows record year

In response to growing demand for its full textile and finished product line automation services, ACG Kinna – a member of TMAS, the Swedish textile machinery association – has inaugurated a 1,000-square-metre expansion at its headquarters in Skene, Sweden.

#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

YKK launches “YZiP® Light” aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) has launched YZiP® Light, a lightweight aluminum alloy zipper for cotton pants, with sales beginning in late March. The introduction of YZiP® Light expands YKK’s zipper portfolio—led by the flagship YZiP® copper alloy zipper—providing customers with greater flexibility to meet diverse garment needs.

#Techtextil 2026

Shima Seiki showcases WHOLEGARMENT® and 3D knitting solutions for technical textiles at Techtextil 2026

Leading textile technology solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, along with its Italian subsidiary SHIMA SEIKI ITALIA S.p.A., will be participating in the Techtextil 2026 exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany next month. On display will be WHOLEGARMENT® and other advanced three-dimensional knitting applications across a wide range of industries besides fashion apparel that are not typically associated with knitting, such as technical textiles using industrial materials and advanced three-dimensional knitting.

#Research & Development

Textilfabrik 7.0 launched: Mönchengladbach becomes a real-world lab for sustainable textile production

With the official kick-off event of the Textilfabrik 7.0 (T7), a major transformation project for the German textile and apparel industry has been launched in the Monforts Quarter in Mönchengladbach. At the “Textile Roundtable,” an event format organized by the Zukunftsagentur Rheinisches Revier, representatives from industry, research, politics, and the regional economy came together to jointly lay the foundation for CO₂-neutral, circular, and economically viable textile production in Germany.

TOP