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Scaling and Manufacturing Protein Fibers in the U.S.

Special Section
November
2025
Melik C. Demirel, Benjamin Allen

The demand for natural and synthetic fabrics is outpacing supply chains and straining ecosystems, making the textile industry ripe for disruption from new technologies. Protein-based fabrics are providing an environmentally sustainable, cost-effective, and scalable solution.

The global textile market, valued at over $3 trillion, continues to expand. However, natural — i.e., animal or plant-based — and synthetic fibers have inherent limitations for meeting growing demand, creating a significant opportunity for alternative solutions. The size and importance of the fiber market suggest it is ready for major change, with over 115 million tons of fiber produced each year and rising (1). Furthermore, the fashion and textiles industries are among the top five most polluting industries worldwide. A key indicator of the upcoming shift is the production forecast for biobased fibers, which are expected to grow tenfold by 2030.

The shift toward sustainability is driven by regulatory demands and changing consumer preferences. New laws in the European Union (EU), within the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, specifically target the fashion and fiber manufacturing industries. This includes Extended Producer Responsibility laws, which require brands to pay fees based on the recyclability and environmental friendliness of their products. Consumers are actively choosing fibers that are natural, biodegradable, cruelty-free, and vegan.

“Deep tech” refers to core technologies that can drive transformative change across industries and society. The creation of a protein-based textile introduces the possibility of a deep tech disruption emerging within the American bio-industrial sector. Investing in protein-based materials has the potential to strengthen the bioeconomy, improve supply chain resilience, and enhance global leadership by creating new industries, jobs, and opportunities. This article investigates how one company’s protein-based fiber technologies are poised to change the textile industry...

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