#Yarn & Fiber

2022-07-07

AMSilk announces plans to scale-up production

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk”), a world leader in supplying innovative high-performance bio-based silk materials, today announces plans to scale-up production capacity by several thousand tons a year and expand its production network outside of Europe.

Plans to scale-up production capacity by several thousand tons a year and expand production network outside of Europe
Dr. Lin Römer steps down as CTO but remains committed to the Company in the role of an advisor

AMSilk’s scalable biotechnological platform and best-in-class patent portfolio means it is able to produce large quantities of premium bio fabricated silk materials in constant quality.

The Company also announces that co-founder and CTO Dr. Lin Römer has stepped down from the management team and Board, and will move to a part-time consultancy role supporting AMSilk with his broad and versatile expertise and know-how.

After 14 years at AMSilk, Dr. Römer has decided to pursue new opportunities outside of the Company. Over the past decade, he has been dedicated to the success and the growth of AMSilk, and he has been instrumental in bringing its biotech products from the lab to industrial scale, resulting in the successful market launch of the world’s first artificial spider silk products.

Dr. Lin Römer added: “I am proud of what we have achieved since the Company was founded. AMSilk is now well equipped to successfully drive commercial production of its highly sought-after silk materials. I wish AMSilk and its exceptional team every success for the future with its ground-breaking technology in the emerging field of industrial biotechnology.”

In May 2022, Klaus Kjeldal was appointed Chief Production Officer and Managing Director to lead the scale-up of AMSilk’s protein production with existing CMOs.

Dr. Wolfgang Colberg, Chair of the Advisory Board, AMSilk, said: “As AMSilk enters a new phase of growth, we are accelerating our plans for the industrial scale up of production of our innovative high-performance biotech materials. The Board and I would like to thank Lin for his outstanding work over many years. His achievements for AMSilk, which he co-founded and shaped from day one, cannot be overstated. Today, AMSilk is a successful company destined to continue its strong growth course. AMSilk will miss his leadership and strategic skills, extensive experience and deep knowledge.”

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.

PERFORMANCE DAYS announces new focus topic & forums for October 2026

With its upcoming October 13–14, 2026 edition, PERFORMANCE DAYS is placing the spotlight on one of the textile industry’s most important transformations: “Bio-Based Materials – From Fiber to Fabric”, a two-part Focus Topic exploring the future of bio-based innovation across the textile value chain. Part 1, presented in October 2026, will focus on fibers and next-generation material developments, while Part 2 at the March 2027 edition will shift the perspective toward dyeing, finishing, additives, and processing technologies.

Febratex 2026 to be the largest edition of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas with 10 exhibition halls

Febratex 2026 will be the largest edition in the history of the leading textile trade fair in the Americas. Dedicated to the textile and apparel manufacturing industries, the event will take place from August 18–21, 2026, in Blumenau, Santa Catarina, Brazil, with a strong focus on technology, sustainability, and business generation.

Cotton Brazil Dialogues field trip brings international stakeholders closer to Brazil’s cotton production chain

How do you build trust across the global textile value chain? By opening the farm gates. This is the principle behind the Cotton Brazil Dialogues. At the end of July, the programme welcomed its first group of international participants for a five-day immersion into Brazilian cotton production, combining field visits with technical workshops to showcase the quality, sustainability, innovation and traceability behind one of the world’s leading cotton origins.