Replies to post #106275 on Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc (KBLB)

[TRUISM]

Bolt Threads Will Bring Its Spider Silk Fabric To Patagonia
by Leena Rao @leenarao MAY 11, 2016, 1:30 PM EDT
Click For Fortune Article



The startup is also announcing a new round of funding.



Buying a jacket made from spider silk may be a reality soon. Bolt Threads, a startup that creates spider silk, is announcing a deal with Patagonia to further develop the company’s fabric. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed by either company.

Bolt Threads was founded by three PhD students in 2009 who sought to create spider silk without using actual spiders. The idea was to create a man-made silk from the protein fibers in the webs spun by spiders because this silk is known to be five times stronger than steel—and even tougher than man-made fabric Kevlar.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

The startup’s pattern design uses proprietary technologies to create engineered silk fibers based on proteins found in spider silk that can be produced at commercial scale. At a scientific level, Bolt actually examines the DNA of spiders and then replicates those genetic sequences in other ingredients to create a similar silk fiber. Bolt’s silk is made primarily of sugar, water, salts, and yeast, which combined forms a liquid silk protein. Through a process called wet spinning, this liquid is spun into fiber, similar to the way fibers like acrylic and rayon are made.

There’s a reason why companies like Patagonia are interested. Bolt’s fabric has similar qualities to conventional silk in that it will provide warmth and a softer feel, but it should be easier to wash and wear. For example, you won’t have to dry clean Bolt’s silk because it will have the durability to be washed in a machine.

Along with the Patagonia partnerships, Bolt is also announcing a new round of funding. The startup has raised $50 million in Series C funding, led by Formation 8 with new investors Innovation Endeavors and Nan Fung as well as participation from existing investors Founders Fund, Foundation Capital, Alafi Capital, and East West Capital. This brings the company’s total funding to $90 million.

Bolt isn’t the only company to try to create spider silk at mass. Japanese startup Spiber is marketing a similar fiber. German company Amsilk is also developing commercial grade spider silk.

The new funding will be used for hiring and to scale manufacturing of Bolt Thread’s fabric.



Blessings to All

TRUTH

[yankeeclipper]

Anyone find it fascinating that within hours of KBLB's PR on 4 new strains of SS that our spider silk goo competitors Spiber & Bolt Threads (and USTAR in research) all announce updates on their progress towards commercialization ??

The only consistent truism that Kim has spoken these past three years is that "we (KBLB) are being closely watched by our competition".

So who's looking over who's shoulder now ??

Best regards - yankeeclipper

[jetow]

"Kim just needs to supply."

Apparently Kim can't supply
or he would have by now.

[TRUISM]

It looks like Bolt Threads has partnered with Patagonia and raised another $50 million and will be commercial next year (pushed back from this year).

According to the article:

Bolt Threads raises $50 million to brew spider silk, inks deal with Patagonia

It is stated:

Bolt already manufactures its Engineered Silk protein at scale, with outsourced manufacturing partners, says CEO Dan Widmaier, and will be moving into yarn manufacturing this summer....

A founder and General Partner with Formation 8, Jim Kim, said his firm invested in Bolt because its silks have amazing properties. Spider silks could be used to make materials that are stronger than Kevlar, and more durable but at least as flexible as Lycra, he said.

But the processes that Bolt Threads has come up with are far easier than natural silk manufacturing, which traditionally requires silkworms and plenty of mulberry leaves, which are plants threatened by climate change and the silk industry.

Kim said, “Lots of people are investing in the next Uber for something, but not a lot of people understand the technology around textiles. What Bolt is doing impacts a trillion-dollar market.”

Given the funding, Kim said he expects Bolt Threads to make its bio-fabricated silks available in mainstream products by 2018.

Blessings to All

TRUTH