Spider silk has fascinated scientists for decades. Stronger than steel, lighter than cotton, and extremely flexible, it has been difficult to produce at scale. Kraig Biocraft Laboratories in Michigan claims to have solved this problem by genetically modifying silkworms with spider silk genes.

In early 2025, the company inserted the largest spider silk gene ever-from Darwin’s bark spider, known for its tough silk-into silkworms. The result: hybrid cocoons with up to 90% spider silk protein.

Unlike earlier methods that used bacteria or yeast, these silkworms produce and spin the silk naturally, reducing costs and avoiding complex processing. Plus, the silk is biodegradable, offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fibers.

Potential applications are vast:

• Medical: biodegradable sutures, artificial ligaments, tissue scaffolds

• Defense: lightweight, bullet-resistant fabrics

• Fashion: high-performance, sustainable, luxury textiles

Kraig aims to produce 10 metric tons annually in Vietnam for real-world trials. Challenges remain, like maintaining consistent fiber quality and convincing manufacturers to adopt the new material. If successful, this could finally make spider silk part of daily life.