AMSilk

AMSilk is a German company that uses genetically engineered E. coli bacteria to produce silk proteins. The company was founded in 2008 by Lin Romer in Planegg, Bayern, Germany.

The company looks to produce and distribute silk biopolymers for the purpose of creating textiles, medical devices, cosmetics, and clothing. Their fibers are based on natural silk proteins and are created to be both sustainable and entirely recyclable. The company uses biotechnological production processes with industrial bulk productions and clean technology and does not use any plastics.

In 2023, AMSilk partnered with Brain Biotech, a company that develops and manufactures bio-based products for industry, to develop high-performance bio-based protein fibres for the textile industry.

The Biosteel fiber produced by AMSilk received certification in accordance with OEKO-TEX Standard 100, which include tests related to pollutants and safety. Biosteel received degradability in accordance with OECD301B. Applications of the fiber have included the following:

• AMSilk entered a collaboration with Mercedes-Benz to develop a sustainable car door pull made from Biosteel fiber.
• AMSilk has partnered with the Swiss watch maker, Omega, to make the Nato watch strap, which blends polyamide and Biosteel.
• In 2016, a model of Adidas shoes was designed to be biodegradable and had uppers made from Biosteel fiber. The shoe can be completely broken down in 36 hours by adding an enzyme.

Spider silk can be used to make a protective coating for medical implants because it is made of proteins that are nonimmunogenic. AMSilk has developed a coating for breast implants using artificial silk. AMSilk protein reduced the rate of major post-operative complications and modulated the foreign body response to the implant.