AMSilk, the world’s first industrial supplier of synthetic silk biopolymers, has announced its partnership with Airbus, a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services, to develop a new era of composites for use in the aerospace industry. The agreement will produce the first composite material made of bionic high-performance Biosteel fibre.

In recent years, the aerospace industry has shifted from metal and steel fuselage and wings to carbon fiber composite materials, primarily in an effort to decrease the plane’s weight and save fuel over time. Airbus, committed to remaining at the forefront of aerospace innovation, is the first in the industry to experiment with this new material. It intends to explore how AMSilk’s Biosteel fibre can allow them to approach the design and construction of their planes in an entirely new way, AMSilk said in a press release.

The new composite material will be built using AMSilk’s Biosteel fibre technology, which enables lightweight construction with multiple shock resistance and flexibility. As demand for air travel continues to increase, the need for larger, more flexible planes which spend less time in the shop and more time in the sky will continue to grow.

Biosteel fibre is made from a biopolymer based on natural spider silk, a material known for its strength, flexibility and toughness. AMSilk produces Biosteel fibre through a closed-loop biotechnological process that renders the product highly sustainable, with no petroleum inputs.

"We are excited to be working with Airbus, the world leader in performance airplanes, to create a fundamentally new material," said Jens Klein, CEO of AMSilk. "At AMSilk, we are committed to producing materials that are both high-performing and sustainable, and the current partnership with Airbus is an opportunity to set a new, stronger and more sustainable course for the entire aerospace industry."