[Spiber Inc.] Kering and EILEEN FISHER for Spiber’s biosphere circulation project
Newly participating companies such as Inc.
*View in browser* *Spiber Co., Ltd.*
Press release: January 15, 2024
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Kering, EILEEN FISHER Inc. and other companies join Spiber’s biosphere circulation project
*Collaboration to provide fabric samples, etc. to promote efforts to build a recycling system in the textile industry*
Structural protein material “Brewed”
Spiber Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture / Director and Representative Executive Officer: Kazuhide Sekiyama / hereinafter Spiber), which develops “Protein (TM)”, is a company that develops completely circular fiber products. A biosphere circulation system that converts textile products and agricultural waste into raw materials for producing new protein materials on an industrial scale through microbial fermentation, with the aim of realizing and promoting a recycling-oriented society. We are proceeding with research and development. And this time, Kering Material Innovation Lab (MIL), EILEEN FISHER Inc., Johnstons of Elgin and DyStar have newly joined the project.
This new step was taken on January 11th at Biofabricate, an annual ecosystem that introduces groundbreaking biomaterials and raw materials to bioinnovators, brands, investors and others.
Paris
This was announced by Noriji Higashi, our Head of Sustainability and Executive Officer, at a panel session at the Japan Summit (this time held in Paris, January 10-12). (Kering, a new participant in the panel session)
Material Innovation Lab (MIL), EILEEN FISHER
Inc. also took the stage and talked about the textile industry’s challenges towards building a circular model and expectations for the Biosphere Circulation Project.)
Participation in this project follows on from Goldwin and PANGAIA, which started participating in June 2023.These collaborations will shift the textile industry from a linear model of
“take-make-use-dispose” to “take- The aim is to promote research and development of this system and promote its introduction across the industry in order to shift to a circular model of “make-use-reuse.” We plan to receive multifaceted cooperation from each company, including providing fabric samples for Spiber’s lab-level efforts. As this is necessary, each company is providing multifaceted support, including working with their respective supply chain partners to prepare fabrics specifically for this project.
*Comment from Kering Material Innovation Lab Director | Christian Tubito* “To realize a more circular textile industry, we need to examine and develop various solutions.
It requires a multi-level approach. biosphere circulation
tion project is an ambitious and challenging initiative that opens new avenues for textile recycling.
is. Until now, there was no way beyond recycling, but it was not possible to reuse it.
We believe that this material has the potential to become a promising new option for textile materials. ”
* EILEEN FISHER Inc. Director of Material Sustainability and Integrity | Comment from Inka Apter*
“We need everything in our toolbox to move the textile industry together towards a circular economy.
tools are required. Biosphere Circulation Project
This is based on the basic principles of , and focuses on the component level of the material, including dyes and finishing agents. is. This is a new and essential approach to the circular economy. share these challenges
Eileen Fisher will be happy to assist you in resolving this issue. vinegar. ”
-Image diagram of Biosphere Circulation System-
By testing the materials provided by each company and other materials at the lab level, we are able to develop a variety of finishes, colorants, and other materials for converting cellulose and
protein-based materials into sugars, amino acids, and other nutrients that can be used in the fermentation process. Analyze the impact of processing chemicals on Spiber accumulates and creates a database of these test results to ensure that various materials combined with processing chemicals are
We plan to clarify the efficiency of conversion into nutrients for fermentation. This database can be referenced by the industry when designing circular products, and could potentially be used in the future to design products that are compatible with circular solutions such as Spiber’s Biosphere Circulation System. .
In 2023, Spiber’s Biosphere Circulation Project released a project overview that includes product design principles to provide industry with a framework for manufacturing products compatible with circular solutions. In addition, Spiber and the companies participating in the Biosphere Circulation Project will, in an early stage, study how different types of chemicals affect the conversion of cellulose and protein-based fibers into nutrients for fermentation processes. To find out, we began testing and analyzing combinations of fibers and key processing chemicals. (Details on the progress are included in the attached materials of the press release).
Spiber will continue to work with strong participating companies to realize a future in which all products are incorporated into a circular system, and items that were previously discarded can be recycled with new value even at the end of their use. With your help, we will promote research and development as a material creator, and we will also promote projects in order to effectively utilize limited resources throughout the industry and establish a comprehensive recycling model and infrastructure. We will continue to encourage more brands and companies to participate.
-Reference-
*Biosphere circulation project*
We use bio-based and biodegradable fibers, as well as agricultural waste such as sugarcane bagasse and corn stover, to turn what has traditionally been considered “garbage” into nutrients (sugars and amino acids) through microbial fermentation processes. Disassembled and newly Brewed as
Aiming to realize a circular ecosystem that maximizes the use of Protein(TM) as a resource when recycled into materials, we are working on long-term efforts to establish the necessary technology, create product design guidelines, and build infrastructure. We are working on development.
* Brewed Protein(TM) fiber*
An artificial protein material produced through a microbial
fermentation process using plant-derived biomass as raw material. Can be processed into various applications, Brewed
Brewed spun with Protein(TM) polymer
Protein(TM) fibers can be processed into filament yarns that have the shine and delicacy of silk, as well as spun yarns such as cashmere, which has a high-quality, smooth feel, and wool, which has excellent bulk.
As the production scale of this fiber expanded, Spiber, the developer In textile applications for the apparel industry, which is an initial focus area, for example, when compared with cashmere fiber, which is made of high-quality animal hair but has been pointed out to have various environmental risks, it is said that greenhouse gas emissions are lower. Significant downsizing and reduction of land and water usage also Brewed
Protein material itself is environmentally degradable, so depending on the design of the final product, it can be expected to contribute to resolving the issue of microplastic emissions caused by
petroleum-derived products, providing an alternative solution to conventional animal-derived, plant-derived, and synthetic materials. Expectations are high as a next-generation material that can *Spiber Co., Ltd.*
Founded in 2007, structural protein “Brewed”
A bioventure based in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture that develops “Protein (TM) materials”. Brewed at Spiber’s first mass production plant in Rayong Province, Thailand
We are expanding production of Protein(TM) polymer in stages and continue to sell it widely both in Japan and overseas.
Spiber website: https://spiber.inc
Spiber Sustainability webpage: https://spiber.inc/sustainability/ *Spiber is a trademark or registered trademark of Spiber Inc. in Japan and other countries.
*Brewed ProteinTM is a trademark or registered trademark of Spiber Inc. in Japan and other countries.
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