#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.”

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.

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.

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.

Teijin Carbon strengthens high‑end sports offering with advanced prepreg and resin technologies for next‑generation bicycle performance

High‑end bicycle manufacturers are entering a new era in which modern frames and components must be lighter, stiffer, tougher and more sustainable – all while enabling fast, repeatable and cost‑efficient production. To support this shift, Teijin Carbon is expanding its portfolio of advanced prepreg systems developed specifically for premium road, gravel and mountain bike applications.

Durak Tekstil to showcase its innovations for mattress industry at ISPA EXPO 2026

Durak Tekstil threads that meet the standards required for high-quality, long-lasting and comfortable products demanded by the mattress industry, while also offering new possibilities, will be exhibited at ISPA EXPO 2026. The fact that the fair is being held in the U.S.—one of Durak Tekstil’s key target markets—also carries great significance.

B.I.G. Yarns achieves EcoVadis Platinum Rating, ranking among top 1% of companies worldwide

B.I.G. Yarns, the carpet yarn brand of B.I.G. and a leading manufacturer of polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PET) yarns for contract, automotive, and high-end residential applications, has been awarded the EcoVadis Platinum Medal, placing the company among the top 1% of more than 130.000 companies assessed globally.

DIENES at Techtextil 2026: Flexible pilot lines for bio-based fiber development

The growing relevance of bio-based materials in technical textiles is accompanied by increasing demands for reproducibility, high-quality data, and scalable process routes. Especially when working with cellulose and its derivatives, chitosan, lignin-based approaches, or bio-based PAN as a carbon-fiber precursor, R&D teams face variable feedstock quality, tighter process windows, and the need for reliable comparability across trials. This calls for flexible, data-driven experimental setups that can be reconfigured efficiently when recipes, solvents, and raw-material batches change.

Gunold showcases embroidery product range and services at Texprocess

At Texprocess 2026, GUNOLD will present numerous hands-on examples related to embroidery in Hall 8, Booth E20. The focus is on creative embroidery designs as well as the extensive product range of threads, nonwovens, and accessories for embroidery and embellishment. “Trade visitors can once again look forward to many new and creative embroidery designs. Of course, we will also showcase the matching products required to bring these ideas to life,” announces Marketing Manager Stephan Gunold.

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.