Silk fibroin (recombinant, biomaterials)
Recombinant silk fibroin and spider-silk proteins — expressed via microbial precision fermentation (Spiber Brewed Protein™, AMSilk Biosteel, Bolt Threads MicroSilk), transgenic *Bombyx mori* silkworms (Kraig Biocraft MaSp1/MaSp2), or purified from *Bombyx mori* cocoons for biomaterials (Sofregen Medical SilkVoice FDA-cleared ENT device) — have crossed into commercial scale in 2026: Spiber's Rayong Thailand plant and 2025 Italian-mill partnerships (Botto Giuseppe, Manifattura Sesia, Achille Pinto) produced 100% Brewed Protein yarns at industrial tonnage; AMSilk's bioengineered yarns debuted in Balenciaga Spring 2026 collection and Ajinomoto Foods Europe's dedicated 160 m³ Nesle France fermentation plant came online July 2026; Kraig Biocraft hit 1.3 metric tons of recombinant spider silk cocoons in March 2026 (1.8 MT in April) via transgenic silkworms in Vietnam; Sofregen Medical's SilkVoice holds two FDA 510(k) clearances (K180631, K240919) for vocal cord medialization, validated in a 33-patient Laryngoscope 2026 study. Bolt Threads patented recombinant silk polypeptide as a silicone replacement in personal care (US20260069524A1, March 2026).
specialty-fine-chem
17 min