Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering news from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers.
Kraig Biocraft Laboratories
Kraig Biocraft Laboratories announced it hit full capacity at its current production center, which aligns with the biotech company’s expansion plans for the first half of 2024. The spider silk producers are now moving forward with planned investments into additional facilities.
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Kraig Labs said it began planning for this factory expansion during the spring trials after observing the “strong growth and robustness” of its new spider silk hybrids. This expansion will happen in two waves. The first wave will address the “near-term need” for capacity during rainy seasons and provide secure space for production over the next few months. The second wave is a larger project that will tackle Kraig’s longer-term need for hatchery space, intended to take care of production needs for the next 12-18 months.
The material innovation firm was granted permits for these projects and is now investing in each expansion plan. Construction for both investments has begun, with the first project expected to be finished in a few weeks and the second completed by early fall.
“We have set ambitious goals for spider silk production in 2024 and we are committed to achieving and exceeding those targets,” said Kim Thompson, founder and CEO of Kraig. “These investments into production capacity brings us one step closer to realizing our vision for cost-effective commercial scale production of spider silk.”
Kraig said it expects to begin a third wave of recombinant spider silk production this month, focusing on scaling the output of the parental lines for its production hybrids.
Swedish Stockings
Premium hosiery brand Swedish Stockings has joined forces with furniture designer Gustaf Westman on a limited edition launch of one-of-a-kind tables.
The Stockholm-based sustainable tights brand tapped the Swedish industrial designer to work on a “Tights To Table” design project that turned nylon waste into a set of designer tables. Using between 30 and 350 pairs of recycled tights per table, the project has diverted waste from landfill while creating long-lasting objects.
The capsule consists of five tables manufactured by hand at the Swedish Stockings warehouse in Köping, Sweden, using ground hosiery and recycled fiberglass. The pattern on the table mimics that of marble but only weighs about 13 pounds.
“The most important thing was to emphasis the material in the tables. I wanted to keep the design simple and the round shapes give the material full focus from all angles,” Westman said. “By only making tables in cylinders stacked on top of each other, the entire collection is unified and easy to understand. The tables can be used individually or in a cluster.”
Carhartt
American workwear brand Carhartt has begun its transition to using responsibly sourced cotton and preferred cotton. Guided by Textile Exchange, the brand is joining the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and the Better Cotton initiative. Through these memberships, Carhartt said it will gain full traceability of the U.S. cotton it uses to make its gear, resulting in more transparency and insights into its supply chain.
“We pride ourselves on our history of manufacturing gear that is built to last from day one with the best and most durable materials available,” said Gretchen R. Valade, director of sustainability at Carhartt. “Our memberships with the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and Better Cotton enables us to deliver our gear more sustainably, without sacrificing the durability and quality synonymous with our brand for the last 135 years. We remain committed to exploring more responsibly sourced materials, which is the next step in our mission to leave a better world for the next generation of hardworking people.”
Carhartt said it’s committed to improving cotton farming practices worldwide by partnering with Better Cotton. The sustainability scheme teaches farmers various tips and tricks for more sustainable outcomes and educates them about workers’ rights.
“We’re thrilled to have Carhartt join us as a retailer and brand member. The investment made by Better Cotton members, through their sourcing of Better Cotton, is an invaluable part of how the program reaches farmers and drives change in the world,” said Eva Benavidez Clayton, senior director of membership and supply chain at Better Cotton.
“We look forward to working together with Carhartt to help them deliver on their sustainable sourcing ambitions and, in turn, contribute to our mission to help cotton communities survive and thrive while protecting and restoring the environment,” she added.
