Brewed Protein™

Silk, Wool

Microbe-derived

2007

Japan

5

Founder(s): 

Kazuhide Sekiyama, Sugawara Junichi

https://www.spiber.jp/en

About the Company

Spiber Inc. is a Japanese biotechnology company developing synthetic spider silk without the use of animals or petroleum resources. The company is currently constructing the world’s largest structural protein fermentation facility in Thailand. With this expansion, Spiber aims to manufacture sustainable protein-based materials at a competitive cost. Commercial production of synthetic spider silk is expected to start in 2021, with a production capacity of several hundred tons per year.

Brewed Protein™ is the company’s sustainable material produced via a fermentation process that uses sugars and microbes.

Technology

Brewed Protein™ is produced using Spiber’s proprietary process. The code for the desired protein is inserted into microorganisms. Using the necessary sugars and minerals, these microorganisms grow this protein in a bioreactor. After fermentation is complete, the protein is purified and dried into a pellet or powder. It can then be processed and spun into fibers.

Spiber’s initial target industries are apparel and automotive.

Selected Brand Partnerships

Yuima Nakazato (Designer), The North Face, Toyota.

Shirt designed by Yuima Nakazato made with Brewed Protein™.

The North Face parka made with Brewed Protein™.

Atlas Couture Collection Spring/Summer 2021 by Yuima Nakazato.