Evonik Partners With AMSilk to Manufacture Sustainable Silk Proteins

Evonik is teaming up with German biotech company AMSilk to produce industrial quantities of innovative, sustainable silk proteins that can be used in high-quality fashion, automotive smart materials, and medical devices.

Materials produced with the silk proteins balance optimal performance with minimal environmental impact. Evonik is producing the silk at its contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) precision fermentation site in Slovakia. 
 
“Working with a partner who puts sustainability at the heart of their business is in perfect alignment with our goals at Evonik. We are delighted to partner with AMSilk to bring smart biotech silk materials to industries worldwide,” said Thomas Riermeier, head of Evonik’s Health Care business. 
 
With more than three decades of experience as a fermentation partner to companies working on advanced food ingredients, pharmaceuticals and other innovators, Evonik’s Health Care business plays a key role in the company’s life sciences division, Nutrition & Care. 
 
“With Evonik, we have one of the most competent and renowned players for producing silk protein at our side. As we continue to improve our process, Evonik is not only the perfect industrial partner, but also as a strategic partner with whom we can scale up industrial production even beyond Europe,” AMSilk GmbH Chief Production Officer Klaus Kjeldal stated.
 
AMSilk is the world’s first industrial supplier of smart biotech materials by applying a technology platform based on silk proteins. AMSilk turns man-made proteins into silk formulations including fiber, hydrogels and silk powder for applications in the textile industry as well as for medical devices and consumer goods. All AMSilk materials are created with an end of life in mind, being completely vegan, biodegradable, and using renewable plant-based carbon, with no microplastics. 
 
Evonik is a specialty chemical developer. The company is active in more than 100 countries worldwide and generated sales of €15 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of €2.38 billion in 2021. Evonik goes beyond chemistry to create innovative, profitable and sustainable solutions for customers. The company employs 33,000 workers.