Airbus partners with AMSilk on synthetic spider silk technology
Airbus intends to explore how AMSilk’s Biosteel fiber can be used to develop a new aerospace composite material.
AMSilk (Planegg, Germany), the world’s first industrial supplier of synthetic silk biopolymers, announced on Sept. 12 a partnership with Airbus (Toulouse, France). The two companies have entered into a joint cooperation agreement to develop the new era of composites for use in the aerospace industry.
Airbus, who has been one of the aerospace industry’s leaders in experimenting with carbon fiber composite materials, intends to explore how AMSilk’s Biosteel fiber can allow them to approach the design and construction of their planes in an entirely new way.
The new composite material will be built using AMSilk’s Biosteel fiber technology, which enables lightweight construction with multiple shock resistance and flexibility.
Biosteel fiber is made from a biopolymer based on natural spider silk, a material known for its strength, flexibility and toughness. AMSilk produces the fiber 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,” says 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.”
The two companies are aiming to launch a prototype composite material in 2019.
Related Content
-
Plant tour: Aernnova Composites, Toledo and Illescas, Spain
RTM and ATL/AFP high-rate production sites feature this composites and engineering leader’s continued push for excellence and innovation for future airframes.
-
Plant tour: Airbus, Illescas, Spain
Airbus’ Illescas facility, featuring highly automated composites processes for the A350 lower wing cover and one-piece Section 19 fuselage barrels, works toward production ramp-ups and next-generation aircraft.
-
A new era for ceramic matrix composites
CMC is expanding, with new fiber production in Europe, faster processes and higher temperature materials enabling applications for industry, hypersonics and New Space.