#Yarn & Fiber

2022-10-20

AMSilk relocate offices to support expansion plans

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk”), a world leader in supplying innovative high-performance bio-based silk materials, announces its relocation to a new biotech lab and office space covering more than 2000m2 on the recently constructed Campus Neuried in Munich, Germany, to support its expansion into production networks outside of Europe.

The purpose-built offices will support its production of game-changing material solutions on an industrial scale

Expanding biotech laboratory, pilot plants and office space, AMSilk embarks on the next stage of its journey to provide biofabricated silk materials across the world

The new Company offices at Campus Neuried, which began development in August 2019, have been purpose built to suit the individual needs and requirements of AMSilk. At more than 2000m2, its new office space is triple the size of its previous residence at IZB, supporting the Company’s next phase of development as it aims to scale-up production, reaching several thousand tons per year within the next 3 to 5 years.

AMSilk places sustainability and performance at the heart of its vision with an environmentally friendly manufacturing process. Its innovative and scalable biotechnological platform can provide large quantities of premium biofabricated silk materials of a constant quality.

As demand for decarbonisation across industries increases, biofabrication has been widely established as the solution to sustainable materials for the future. Being vegan, completely biodegradable, produced only with renewable plant-based raw materials and microplastic free, AMSilk’s fibers can influence a positive change.

Ulrich Scherbel, Chief Executive Officer at AMSilk, said: “AMSilk is focused on breaking down limitations and boundaries by providing bio-bettering solutions on an industrial scale, improving products and creating a positive impact on the environment across various industries. The move to our new offices, with improved technological equipment, a unique proximity to the enlarged laboratory and specially designed pilot plants, enable the growing team of leading experts and top industry professionals to satisfy customer needs faster and better.”

Dr. Wolfgang Colberg, Chairman and Industrial Partner of AMSilk’s Advisory Board, added: “AMSilk has made some strong developments this year towards scaling up its production to several thousand tons for existing clients within Europe and new clients outside of Europe. Its move to these unique new offices will enable AMSilk to keep up with the demand we foresee increasing over the next few years, as it aims to make smart performing biotech materials part of everyday life and make a significant contribution to a zero-waste society.”

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Grasim Industries announces fresh investment of ₹3094 Crore to expand Lyocell capacity

Grasim Industries Limited, the flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group and a global leader in cellulosic fibres, today announced an investment of ₹3,094 crore, for Phase II Lyocell capacity of 110K TPA at Harihar, Karnataka. This expansion will consist of 2 lines of 55K TPA (150 Tons per day) each. The first line is expected to be commissioned by 2028, and the second line is expected to be commissioned by 2030.

Next week’s focus: Intertextile Shenzhen & Yarn Expo Shenzhen fuse textile tradition with sustainable, digital trends

Fashion will not be left behind in one of the world’s undisputed tech and manufacturing capitals. Which is why next week, at Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026, the organisers have made special efforts to integrate textile topics such as materials innovation, holistic sustainability, digitalisation and AI. Yet, from 9 – 11 June at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, the platform also includes timeless tradition and heritage-inspired evolution in equal measure. Across both shows, over 600 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions are set to showcase everything from Peruvian alpaca wool fabrics to tea-derived fibres, while their fringe programmes will explore diverse solutions along the entire value chain.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.

Textile Exchange publishes comprehensive polyester LCA study

Textile Exchange has released a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on polyester, providing detailed data on the environmental impacts of both virgin and recycled polyester production. The study aims to strengthen understanding across the fashion, textile and apparel industries and support more informed decision-making regarding polyester sourcing and production.