Structural proteins for the development of sustainable materials: BRAIN Biotech and AMSilk cooperate to develop high-performance bio-based protein fibers
Creating a better future with biotechnology − this vision is shared by BRAIN Biotech AG (BRAIN Biotech), a leader in the development and manufacture of bio-based solutions and products for industry, and AMSilk GmbH (AMSilk), the world's first industrial supplier of innovative biomaterials for more sustainable applications in the textile, medical and consumer goods industries. As part of a strategic collaboration, BRAIN Biotech and AMSilk are combining their expertise to drive the development of high-performance fibers for the performance materials market.
Bio-fabricated products hold enormous potential as sustainable material solutions for the future. New developments, such as those currently being developed by BRAIN Biotech and AMSilk, could revolutionize the performance materials market. Petroleum-based textile fibers made of polyethylene or polyamide, well known to be a main source of microplastics as well as causing the unsustainable disposal of old clothes in landfills.
AMSilk produces biotechnological materials based on renewable carbon structural proteins that are not only fully recyclable, but also 100% biodegradable and contain no microplastics. Due to their exceptional mechanical as well as biochemical properties, these biomaterials are extremely versatile and therefore particularly attractive for use in a wide variety of applications including the apparel, medical and automotive industries, among others.
To expand its protein technology platform to further markets and applications, the Company is now drawing on the expertise of BRAIN Biotech. The aim here is to further optimize specific properties of the structural proteins for various high-performance-oriented fields of application in the textile sector.
Dr. Alexander Pelzer, Head of Research & Development at BRAIN Biotech's Zwingenberg site, emphasizes: “In this collaboration, our protein engineering experts are once again demonstrating their capabilities in protein development, especially in particularly challenging tasks that require novel approaches. Our protein optimization technologies, based on rational sequence- and structure-driven design, have already proven themselves in many optimization processes. Our enzyme technology unit will further develop these structural proteins in close collaboration with AMSilk to achieve the desired properties for higher-performance fibers.”
Dr. Andreas Schmideder, Head of Business Opportunities & Development at AMSilk, said: “AMSilk's bio-fabricated fibers have immense potential, as the underlying structural proteins can be modified at the molecular level. This makes it possible to tailor products to meet specific market requirements. We believe we have found the optimal technology partner for the expansion of our protein platform in BRAIN Biotech. In addition to BRAIN's excellent expertise in protein development, the shared purpose of AMSilk and BRAIN − to create a sustainable future through bio-based solutions − in particular enables an inspiring and successful collaboration.”
About BRAIN
BRAIN Biotech AG is a leading European supplier of bio-based products and solutions such as enzymes and proteins, microbial production strains, natural compounds and biotechnological solutions for more sustainable industrial processes. The company focuses on the fields of nutrition, health and environment.
BRAIN Biotech AG is the parent company of the international BRAIN Biotech Group. The Group's business activities are divided into three segments: The BioProducts segment comprises the product business with specialty enzymes and other proteins, for which the Group operates fermentation facilities in the United Kingdom and production facilities in continental Europe and the United States. The BioScience segment offers research-intensive custom solutions based on enzyme technology, strain development, bioprocess development and natural product screening. The BioIncubator segment conducts its own R&D projects or those initiated with partners with high value-added potential. A particularly promising incubator project is the development of the Company's own CRISPR-based gene editing technology platform, which is currently being established and expanded by Akribion Genomics (in foundation planning).
Through its own R&D activities, BRAIN Biotech Group is continuously expanding its product portfolio in the field of specialty enzymes and small molecules. The latter are the starting point for screenings, e.g. for novel drug candidates for pharmaceutical applications.
BRAIN Biotech AG has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since February 9, 2016 (ticker symbol: BNN; securities identification number: ISIN DE0005203947 / WKN 520394). The company employs approximately 330 people and generated revenues of EUR 55,3 million in the fiscal year 2022/23.
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About AMSilk
AMSilk GmbH ("AMSilk") is the world's first industrial supplier of vegan silk proteins and is based in Neuried/Munich, Germany. Through a patented biotechnological process, these silk proteins are used in application forms such as powders, hydrogels, fibers and coatings, giving the resulting products unique properties. Among other things, the materials are not only particularly robust, but also especially environmentally friendly in that they are biocompatible and fully biodegradable. Learn more at www.amsilk.com.
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect the current views, expectations, and assumptions of the management of BRAIN Biotech AG, and are based on information currently available to the management. Forward-looking statements are no guarantees of future performance, and entail both known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Numerous factors exist that could influence the future performance of and future developments at BRAIN Biotech AG and the BRAIN Biotech Group. Such factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the general economic and competitive environment, risks associated with capital markets, currency exchange rate fluctuations, changes in international and national laws and regulations, in particular with respect to tax laws and regulations, as well as other factors. BRAIN Biotech AG does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.