Investment group Carlyle joins existing shareholders such as Cool Japan Fund and will take a seat on the board. Carlyle has also invested in denim technology group Jeanologia and clothing brands such as Moncler and Golden Goose. 

Spiber’s Brewed Protein material is a bio-based, biodegradable synthetic protein platform that can be used as a substitute for cashmere, wool, fur, leather, silk.

It will begin mass production in Thailand this year, and in the US in 2023. 

Kazuhiro Yamada, managing director of Carlyle Japan, said, “We look forward to working closely with Spiber through this exciting growth phase as it prepares for an IPO and supporting the company to become one of the world’s leading biotech companies.”

 

Image: Spiber has worked with brands including Loaded Boards and the North Face