AMSilk, a spider silk biopolymer producer and a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Givaudan, announced it has partnered with Mercedes-Benz to develop sustainable car door pulls for the latter’s concept car- “VISION EQXX”. 

The concept vehicle, the latest innovation in Mercedes’ pure electric vehicle “EQ” series, will use AMSilk’s proprietary “Biosteel Fiber”, which is a vegan-certified silk fiber that is of high strength and is 100% biodegradable and recyclable.

The partnership aligns with Mercedes-Benz’s objective of capturing efficiency and sustainability in its interior design. For AMSilk, the partnership marks the first time the company has provided its bio-based product to the automotive industry. 

Founded in 2008, German-based AMSilk produces spider silk biopolymers derived from yeast and bacteria from the fermentation of plant-based sugar, via patented engineering technology. AMSilk produces three forms of its silk biopolymers: silkbead microparticles, silkgel hydrogel, and biosteel fibers with applications for textiles, medical devices, and cosmetics.