A Massachusetts, US-based natural chemistry company has closed a $30m investment round that will be used to scale up production of its Liquid Silk product, which replaces synthetic finishing chemicals.
Silk Inc has developed its non-toxic “natural silk” product from the non-GMO polymer thread of silkworm cocoons, which is manufactured in its Boston facility. Natural silk is organically and sustainably produced without petrochemical feedstock.
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The company says the funds will allow it to launch its “safe chemistry,” which it describes as a biodegradable, biocompatible alternative to petrochemicals, into the fashion and textile industry and expand production to commercial scale.
Virtually all textiles used in the manufacturing of clothing are coated with synthetic chemicals to achieve features such as hand feel, colour setting, sweat wicking, and odour resistance. Because most of these chemicals are derived from fossil fuels, their production contributes to climate change and they may persist in the environment for generations.
“Silk’s move into the apparel market demonstrates the company’s potential to disrupt the chemical industry as a whole with its safe, sustainable, and high-performance alternatives,” the company says.
“For years consumers have been obsessed with what they put into their bodies through the food they eat,” explains Greg Altman, co-founder and chief executive officer. “We are now on the doorstep of a public health movement where people ask questions about what they put into their bodies through the clothing they wear, leading the fashion industry to seek clean, non-toxic chemistry solutions that protect the health of their customers and the environment.”
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By GlobalData
