I'm sure it's combined with many other fibers considering their "spider silk" itself is "100% jointly-developed Brewed Protein materials."
Spiber's footnote about this states:
1Brewed Protein materials are the protein fibers, films, and other types of materials manufactured using Spiber’s proprietary fermentation (brewing) process. Brewed Protein materials show great potential for use in a wide range of industries. With a production process that utilizes plant-derived sugars as primary raw ingredients, Brewed Protein materials are well placed to address increasing market pressure for animal-free, microplastic-free alternatives in the apparel industry. The unique, customizable nature of Brewed Protein materials also shows potential to fulfill growing demand in the automotive and aerospace industries for lighter-weight materials. Through an evolutionary and iterative optimization process which begins at the molecular level, Brewed Protein materials can be tailored to suit the needs of each specific application.
I think they're using this contest as a way to gauge the market for their product. Simply slap the "spider silk" name on stuff and see if people are going to buy it. And for how much? People in Japan are entering a contest which gives them the "right to purchase" a Moon Parka. They're not even giving it away?! LOL
What about the insulation, the lining etc. And without knowing the cost of production, do we know the critical answer to the question, 'Is is it cost effective?'
Companies don't normally reveal their actual cost of production.
And super important, 'How durable and practical is it?'
GOLDWIN Inc. (President and Representative Director: Akio Nishida/Head Office: 2-20-6 Shoto, Shibuya City, Tokyo/First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange: 8111) and Spiber Inc. (Representative Executive Officer: Kazuhide Sekiyama/Head Office: 234-1 Mizukami, Kakuganji, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture) are pleased to announce that GOLDWIN TECH LAB commences this month validation tests of MOON PARKA®, a jointly developed jacket made of QMONOS®, a proprietary synthetic spider silk material from Spiber.
In October 2015, GOLDWIN and Spiber announced the world’s first prototype produced with QMONOS® on an actual manufacturing line. Since then, we have made numerous quality and reliability improvements to the material and the prototype. The material did not exist before in nature or as a synthetic material, and comprehensive quality tests were therefore required.
With these enhancements, we now have a prototype ready for quality validation tests on a commercial production scale. A wide range of validation tests of the prototype are planned, including outdoor field tests at GOLDWIN TECH LAB, which itself was completed this month.
Following completion of validation tests, work will commence toward product commercialization as soon as possible. Sales launch date and other details will be announced once they are finalized.
GOLDWIN and Spiber are committed to working together to further develop and improve our products. We appreciate your continued support.
2019.08.29-GOLDWIN x Spiber Joint Research and Development Announcing THE NORTH FACE Sp. "MOON PARKA", the world's first outerwear jacket to utilize microbially-produced protein materials
GOLDWIN Inc. (Goldwin) and Spiber Inc. (Spiber) are pleased to announce that the MOON PARKA outerwear jacket is set for a limited release on December 12, 2019. The MOON PARKA utilizes structural protein materials that Goldwin and Spiber have been jointly developing since 2015. Applications to enter the pre-order lottery for the chance to purchase the MOON PARKA will start at 18:00 today, August 29, 2019.
The MOON PARKA is the second item launched under THE NORTH FACE and Spiber’s collaborative project, THE NORTH FACE Sp. The parka, with an outer layer made from 100% jointly-developed Brewed Protein1 materials, is the world’s first commercially available outerwear jacket to utilize structural proteins produced through a microbial fermentation process that does not rely on petrochemical resources (as of August 29, 2019; research by the Japan-based Structural Protein Industry Association).
The MOON PARKA takes its name from the word moonshot, an attempt to achieve an extremely difficult task for the sake of the enormous impact that its success would entail.
The four years of research and development since the initial MOON PARKA prototype was unveiled has led to an extensive evolution in the product. The latest iteration of the jacket features a simple, timeless design well-suited to any setting?from street to summit?with fabric that satisfies Goldwin’s strict durability and stability quality standards.
A breathable, waterproof laminate forms the middle layer of the shell, and the inner padding, taking inspiration from the expedition-use, cold-resistant Himalayan Parka in THE NORTH FACE’s Summit Series, uses 900 fill power CLEANDOWN to ensure heat retention. Laid out on the inner lining is a photograph of planet Earth as taken by the Apollo 11 crew during mankind’s first successful visit to the lunar surface.
This serves to embody the concepts behind the MOON PARKA?the boundless possibilities of humanity, as well as the conviction that the bold and daring can conquer any obstacle.
PRESS RELEASE GOLDWIN Inc. Spiber Inc. 2019.08.29
Goldwin and Spiber believe that it is the duty of the present generation to shift away from a short-term, consumerist economic model based on the use of non-renewable petroleum resources, and to move towards a sustainable, long-term economic model based on the use of renewable, sustainable resources.
Through our joint research and development initiative, we are striving to re-evaluate our way of thinking about the relationship between nature and mankind. By considering how to balance functionality with environmental considerations, and by examining the role of products and the economy, Goldwin and Spiber hope to arrive at a solution for creating sports apparel items which can support a lifestyle in harmony with nature. In doing so, we believe we can make a considerable contribution to the development of a sustainable world.
It is this belief that drives our continued effort towards this goal.
1Brewed Protein materials are the protein fibers, films, and other types of materials manufactured using Spiber’s proprietary fermentation (brewing) process. Brewed Protein materials show great potential for use in a wide range of industries. With a production process that utilizes plant-derived sugars as primary raw ingredients, Brewed Protein materials are well placed to address increasing market pressure for animal-free, microplastic-free alternatives in the apparel industry.
The unique, customizable nature of Brewed Protein materials also shows potential to fulfill growing demand in the automotive and aerospace industries for lighter-weight materials. Through an evolutionary and iterative optimization process which begins at the molecular level, Brewed Protein materials can be tailored to suit the needs of each specific application.
Product Sales The MOON PARKA is a limited-release item of 50 pieces. For a chance to win the right to purchase the MOON PARKA, please apply via the pre-order lottery form on the following website starting from 18:00, August 29, 2019. (Entries are limited to within Japan only.) Successful entrants will be sent further details by email and may finalize their purchase at THE NORTH FACE LAB store starting December 12, 2019.
Entry period: 18:00, August 29, 2019 to 14:00, October 31, 2019
URL: https://www.sp.spiber.jp/tnfsp (scheduled to go live at 18:00, August 29, 2019) Place of sale: THE NORTH FACE LAB (2F Shibuya PARCO, 15-1 Udagawa, Shibuya, Tokyo; opens November 22, 2019)
MOON PARKA is a trademark of Spiber Inc. and GOLDWIN Inc. Brewed Protein is a trademark of Spiber Inc. Please address any press enquiries regarding this release to: GOLDWIN Inc. Corporation Communication Office | 03-3481-7250 Spiber Inc. PR Office | contact@spiber.jp For enquiries regarding the purchase of the MOON PARKA, please contact: GOLDWIN Inc. Customer Service Center | 0120-307-560 (Office hours: 9:30 - 17:00, excluding weekends and other holidays)