AMSilk and Ajinomoto Foods Europe Expand Partnership to Enable Industrial-Scale Production of Silk Proteins
Companies move from industrial validation to large-scale commercial production of biotech silk proteins at a French facility.
AMSilk, a global leader in biotech-produced silk materials, has announced a significant expansion of its partnership with Ajinomoto Foods Europe (AFE). The two companies have entered into a long-term manufacturing and supply agreement, marking a transition from industrial validation to dedicated, large-scale production. This collaboration builds upon an initial agreement established in 2023, reflecting a deeper commitment to industrial-scale operations.
Under the new agreement, AFE, a part of the Japan-based Ajinomoto Group, will dedicate a production line for AMSilk’s silk proteins at its biomanufacturing site in Nesle, France. The facility features a 160 m³ fermentation reactor capacity combined with customized downstream processing capabilities, all designed exclusively for AMSilk’s proprietary biotech processes. This setup is specifically engineered to ensure high-performance quality and consistent output.
Setting up this dedicated production line required a multi-million joint investment in equipment, installation, and facility upgrades. This capital expenditure reflects the industrial ambition of the project, establishing a certified manufacturing environment tailored to AMSilk's needs. At full performance, the system is expected to reach commercial production volumes of industrial-grade silk protein, allowing AMSilk to scale its operations to meet rising global demand across the textile, automotive, and consumer care industries.
The Nesle location offers logistical advantages, including reduced lead times and a competitive cost structure. Furthermore, the facility operates using locally sourced raw materials and renewable energy, aligning with AMSilk’s commitment to resource-efficient and sustainable production. The agreement also includes a framework for future capacity expansion, which strengthens the operational resilience and supply security for AMSilk’s network of partners and customers.
Hiroshi Kaneko, President of Ajinomoto Foods Europe, noted that the company is well-positioned to scale AMSilk’s production to hundreds of tons per year by leveraging its deep expertise in precision fermentation and downstream processing. Christian Wichert, CEO of AMSilk, emphasized that this move is a key priority for the company's next phase of growth, allowing them to translate innovative technology into reliable, sustainable commercial growth while serving leading global brands.