Kowa Unveils Durable, Eco-Friendly Textile from Bagworm Silk
Pharmaceutical giant Kowa Co. has developed a groundbreaking new textile called Minolon, crafted from the remarkably durable silk of bagworm moth larvae. This environmentally friendly material boasts exceptional strength, even surpassing that of spider silk.
Kowa partnered with the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), leveraging their expertise in silkworms, to cultivate and refine the production of bagworm silk. Through innovative breeding and rearing techniques, they successfully induced the worms to produce silk on demand, paving the way for large-scale production.
Minolon's exceptional properties make it ideal for various applications, including sporting goods, automobiles, and aircraft. By incorporating bagworm silk sheets into carbon fiber composites used in golf clubs, skis, and rackets, manufacturers can enhance the durability and performance of these products. A collaboration with a major sports equipment manufacturer is already underway, with the first Minolon-enhanced product slated for release next month.
Beyond its strength, Minolon boasts an eco-friendly advantage. The production process generates minimal carbon dioxide emissions, making it an attractive alternative to traditional materials for environmentally conscious industries like automobile, aircraft, and smartphone manufacturing.
Kowa envisions establishing a production facility in Komaki, Aichi Prefecture, with an investment of tens of billions of yen. The company's president and CEO, Yoshihiro Miwa, expressed his confidence in Minolon's transformative potential, stating, "Bagworm silk is strong and eco-friendly. This new material can replace other existing textiles and has the potential to change the world.