#Yarn & Fiber

2017-05-18

AMSilk strengthens Business Development team and competence

AMSilk GmbH, the world's first industrial supplier of synthetic silk biopolymers has further expanded its Business Development Unit. In April Dr. Volker Wagner-Solbach entered the company as Procurement & Supply Chain Manager; he is responsible for the procurement and the smooth supply chain process to make sure that the increasing demand of silk biopolymers and especially the Biosteel® fibers can be met by AMSilk’s external production partners.

With Dr. Wagner-Solbach AMSilk GmbH gains an experienced and well-connected expert, who has been working in the chemical and textile industry for 20 years, with a focus on international trade and innovations. Dr. Wagner-Solbach received his chemistry degree at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University in Munich and then wrote his dissertation at the TU Munich. Over the past years Dr. Wagner-Solbach has been able to attract a large number of partners for AVA-CO₂ Schweiz AG and its subsidiary AVALON Industries AG and their first large-scale production plant for 5-HMF/FDCA worldwide. He worked as Business Development Manager for companies such as Bayern Innovativ GmbH, the Technology Think Tank of the State of Bavaria, where he contributed to further consolidate the economic strength of Bavaria. Starting 11 years ago he has also been the sole shareholder and managing director of the company Sanomol GmbH, a company offering consultancy and reselling services in the field of bio-based chemistry. Furthermore, he founded and successfully developed the company C-LAB Chemievermittlung GmbH for 10 years before selling it with a profit in 2006.

Regarding his new tasks at AMSilk GmbH, Dr. Wagner-Solbach explains:“I have been in contact with AMSilk since 2011. Silk is a fantastic product and the innovative biotechnological manufacturing process of AMSilk is the best chemistry can do today. The realization of the company aims regarding the production of silk biopolymers on an industrial scale is a very exciting challenge for me.” Jens Klein, CEO of AMSilk, adds: „With Dr. Wagner-Solbach we gained an experienced and competent Business Development expert. With his many years of experience regarding the setting-up and optimization of supply chains, he will further advance the expansion of the production of our premium performance products.

AMSilk and Ajinomoto Foods Europe expand partnership to enable industrial-scale production of silk proteins

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk”), a global leader leader in biotech produced silk materials, today announced a significant expansion of its partnership with Ajinomoto Foods Europe (AFE), marking a key step in scaling the industrial production of its silk proteins. Building on the collaboration first established in 2023, the two companies have now entered into a long-term manufacturing and supply agreement, enabling the transition from industrial validation to dedicated, large-scale production.

Christian Wichert appointed Chief Executive Officer to lead next phase of growth

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk”), a global leader in advanced biomaterials made from silk proteins, today announces the appointment of Christian Wichert as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 1 June. The appointment marks a pivotal moment in AMSilk’s journey, as the Company advances from development through scale-up to commercialization.

Lenzing reports improved half-year results and advances strategic transformation

Despite a persistently challenging market environment in the first half of 2026, characterized by volatile energy and raw material prices, subdued global consumer demand and intensified competition from Asia, the Lenzing Group significantly improved its financial performance. Net result after tax more than doubled to EUR 35.6 million, compared with EUR 15.2 million in the first half of 2025. Free cash flow increased to EUR 45.8 million, while EBITDA amounted to EUR 239.2 million. Revenue totaled EUR 1.27 billion, compared with EUR 1.34 billion in the previous year.

BICO BCF yarn delivers impressive performance in field testing

In a joint development project with other partners, Barmag and Object Carpet have successfully tested BICO BCF yarn in the carpet manufacturing process. The results show that this innovative yarn technology offers significant performance advantages and opens up new possibilities for recycling-oriented carpet constructions.

Ministry of Industry Delegation visits NatureWorks’ second global manufacturing site at Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex

NatureWorks Asia Pacific Limited welcomed a high-level delegation led by Mr. Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Industry, to its manufacturing site at the Nakhon Sawan Biocomplex (NBC). The visit follows the successful inauguration of the site on April 29, 2026, and highlights the role of public-private collaboration in advancing Thailand’s sustainable industrial development and bioeconomy ambitions.

Sorona® and WGSN announce top bio-based material trends of 2027

Sorona®, the partially bio-based polymer from Covation Biomaterials (CovationBio™), and global trend forecasting authority WGSN today release the material trends shaping the textile industry through 2027 and beyond following a comprehensive examination of bio-based functional fiber applications and global data.

SHIMA SEIKI brings new flat knitting technologies to FEBRATEX 2026

Leading flat knitting solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD. of Wakayama, Japan, together with its Brazilian representative BRASTEMA TECNOLOGIA TEXTIL LTDA., will exhibit at the Brazilian Textile Industry Fair (FEBRATEX 2026) this month. On display will be a roundup of SHIMA SEIKI computerized flat knitting technology, represented by WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines, computerized flat knitting machines featuring a brand-new model with high productivity and excellent cost performance, a glove knitting machine and the latest digital solutions.

Trützschler’s latest spinning and card clothing innovations at CAITME 2026

From September 8 to 10, 2026, Trützschler will present its latest innovations in spinning and card clothing for state-of-the-art fiber processing at CAITME in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Visitors are invited to meet the experts at Pavilion 2, Booth D50 and explore solutions designed to increase productivity, streamline processes, and ensure consistently high yarn quality. Key topics include the next-generation card TC 30i, the integrated draw frame IDF 3, the high-performance comber TCO 21XL as well as Trützschler Card Clothing’s new flat top series STEELTOP®.

Fashion for Good launches DW(O)R-X to navigate the emerging landscape of PFAS-free finishes

Fashion for Good announced the launch of Project DW(O)R-X, a collaborative initiative designed to benchmark PFAS alternative durable water- and oil-repellent (DW(O)R) chemistries. Responding to growing market demand for alternatives to PFAS‑based finishes, the project aims to generate reliable, comparable data that can support informed sourcing decisions and the assessment of emerging chemistries.