Spiber! Not Spider!

Human-Made  Spiderweb:  Spiber's Brewed Protein Could Replace Plastic!

A few days ago, I saw a small spider hoisting a piece of moss which was three times it's size up to it's nest with a strand of spiderweb. Within an hour or so, the piece of moss was trapped in the web like a cocoon. I was amazed by the strength of the spiderweb.

It turned out a spider's web is made up of about 50 bundles of extremely thin threads made of proteins lined up in a row.

Does anybody have any ideas to create some kind of products out of spiderweb? 

It turns out some people are actually working on it!

Mr. Kazuhide Sekiyama, who is the Representative Executive Officer of a startup company called Spiber in Japan is working to make synthetic spiderwebs. Other scientists have been trying to make artificial spiderwebs since 1990's but research is costly and it hasn't been successful - yet!

But in recent years, the cost has decreased dramatically with advancement of technology and investors are willing to spend more money on the companies which are engaged in environmental concerns. Mr. Kazuhide Sekiyama and his team have been able to produce the lab-grown protein fiber thread, Brewed Protein which is manufactured through fermentation (or brewing) using plant-based ingredients. 

I had no idea that clothing made from spiderweb fiber can exist in real life! This could replace plastics!

Spiber not only produces yarn, but also knit fabric, denim, fleece, fur and leather alternatives as well.

According to the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) report, if this brand begins full production at their factory, greenhouse gas emission could be reduced by 79% compared to Mongolia's cashmere production. Also the deterioration of river water quality could be reduced by 32%, and land and water usage rates could be reduced by 97%. These are amazing projections.

I hope investors will get behind this company and help spread this technology across the world. We need to consider not just reducing plastic but also global water pollution. Textile industries are responsible for 20% water pollution worldwide. Spiber products could be the key to a cleaner future!