Can You Use Spider Silk to Make Clothes?
WouterSpider silk is a biodegradable, flexible, durable, waterproof material made from natural resources. It is also a protein-based fiber that does not melt when heated. It is being developed into clothing, medical equipment, and automobile parts.
Synthetic spider silk has long been a dream of scientists. Since the 1930s, researchers have tried to mimic the properties of spider silk by creating a synthetic version. However, these materials have never been produced at a commercial scale.
Bolt Threads is one of the companies working to produce an artificial spider silk. They have already demonstrated that it is possible to make a functional material in a lab. Their yeast, which ferments sugar and water, produces a silk-protein-based microfiber.
The company has already partnered with a few well-known brands, including Stella McCartney and Patagonia. In October, Bolt Threads unveiled a proof-of-concept product, a microfiber necktie. They have plans to launch a full-fledged spider-silk line next year.
But, while the benefits of spider silk are obvious, there are a few teething problems. It is difficult to get enough of these materials into clothing stores. Then there’s the issue of how to properly spin them into the correct thickness. It took many revisions to arrive at the right solution.
Ultimately, the question remains whether or not manmade spider silk will be able to replace the petroleum-based plastics and fibers of today. If the answer is yes, then it might be time to stop splurging on clothes emblazoned with the logo of a luxury car manufacturer.
