Biotech textile start-up prepares to scale
08/08/2024
The two companies have been awarded $1.49 million by the DoD as part of its programme to develop a US-based biotech industry, the Distributed Bioindustrial Manufacturing Program (DBIMP). The funds will be used to build a factory, whose location has yet to be determined.
Philadelphia-based Tandem Repeat currently produces its protein-based fibre in pilot scale. Squitex, the name it has given its fibre, is said to have unique stretch, strength, self-healing and thermal properties. Last year, the company presented its first pair of jeans and a series of dresses made from fabrics composed of a blend including 15% Squitex fibre.
Producing proteins via fermentation processes and spinning them into fibre is the focus of several companies, including Japanese company Spiber and AMSilk, based in Germany.
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