SYNTHETIC SPIDER SILK MARKET ANALYSIS

Spider silk is a protein fiber that is spun from spiders. The silk is used to create webs or other structures such as nets to catch prey, cocoons to protect the offspring, or to wrap up its prey. The silk is also used for suspension or to float through the air and various others. Extracting the silk from spiders has proven to be a difficult task due to which a synthetic form of spider silk has been created that could be commercialized. It is one of the strongest biomaterials manufactured and is more flexible and stronger than KEVLAR. Owing to its good mechanical properties, spider silk is used as a new biomaterial for ligament and tendon replacement or repair and drug delivery. Furthermore, synthetic spider silk is used in athletic gears, airbags, tire cords among others.

Global synthetic spider silk market was valued at US$ 1059.00 Mn in 2021 in terms of revenue, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.01 % during the forecast period (2022 to 2030).

Drivers

An alternative to spider silk has been created that replicated the spider silk’s strength, energy-absorbing capacity, and elasticity. Moreover, synthetic spider silk contains more than 98% water. Laboratory-based spider silk is made from hydrogel, which consists of 98% water and 2% of cellulose and silica. Silica and cellulose are held together by cucurbiturils. Although, synthetic spider silks are not as strong compared to their natural counterparts, however, they are fairly stronger than other synthetic fibers such as nylon. Furthermore, these spider silks can be made at room temperature without the use of chemical solvents, and these are biodegradable and affordable.

Lockdown imposed due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a temporary ban on import & export and manufacturing & processing activities across various industries, which decreased the demand for synthetic spider silk. This resulted in a decline in market growth in the second, third, and fourth quarters of 2020. However, the synthetic spider silk market is expected to recover by the first quarter of 2021, as the COVID-19 vaccination drive has begun in various economies, which is expected to improve the global economy.

Figure 1. Global Synthetic Spider Silk Market Value Share (%), By Region, 2021

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Market Restraints

The high cost of manufacturing spider silk has hampered the revenue growth of the global synthetic spider silk market. In addition, the cannibalistic and territorial nature of spiders makes it extremely difficult to farm spiders for the commercial production of fabric. Similarly, the limited amount of silk produced by spiders is another restraining factor for the commercial production of spider silk. These factors are expected to hamper market revenue growth during the forecast period.

Market Trends

Among application, demand for synthetic spider silk in the defense sector is expected to increase by the end of the forecast period. Bulletproof vests are manufactured with Kevlar, a synthetic fiber woven into fabric and layered, thus making it stronger than steel. However, synthetic spider silk, owing to its high tensile strength and elasticity, is considered to be tougher than Kevlar, due to which manufacturers operating in the bulletproof vest industry are looking to incorporate synthetic spiders in their products.

Figure 2. Global Synthetic Spider Silk Market Value Share (%), By Product Type, 2021 

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Recent Developments

• In December 2021, Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc., a U.S.-based leading developer of spider silk-based fibers, announced the production of the fourth-generation specialized spider silk silkworms at its new production campus. The company continued to grow the size and strength of its silkworm colony and s the third generation of silkworms in mid-November. The company has continued to expand its operational capabilities and is planning to use its existing stock of silk yarn to create custom yarns and composite fabrics, to be sold as a joint venture under the SpydaSilk brand.
• In October 2020, Spidey Tek Inc. developed a new supercar named The Spidey, manufactured by using the company’s proprietary lightweight material SPIDEY, which is lighter and stronger than steel. This new vehicle will be lighter, stronger, and safer than any production vehicle and will use spider silk-based technologies throughout the car. The supercar is to be modeled after the Formula 1/Le Mans race cars, and it can absorb the energy of the impact of a crash.
• Nov 11, 2022 – Quadintel added a new market research report named "Synthetic Spider Silk Market." The research provides a thorough analysis of the global market about the major growth-influencing opportunities and drivers. The study also maps emerging trends and their effects on current and forthcoming market developments.

Competitive Section

Major players operating in the global synthetic spider silk market include Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Spiber Inc., AMSilk, and Bolt Threads.