Biotech silk producer AMSilk has signed a long-term manufacturing and supply agreement with Ajinomoto Foods Europe (AFE), enabling the transition from industrial validation to dedicated large-scale production of its silk proteins.
Under the agreement, AFE will establish a dedicated production line at its biomanufacturing site in Nesle, France, based on 160 m³ fermentation reactor capacity combined with customised downstream processing. The line will be built exclusively for AMSilk’s production and involves a multi-million joint investment in equipment, installation and facility upgrades.
The partnership builds on a collaboration first established in 2023. AFE is part of the Japan-based Ajinomoto Group, which brings extensive expertise in large-scale precision fermentation and biomanufacturing.
“As we move into the next phase of growth, scaling our production capabilities is a key priority,” said Christian Wichert, CEO of AMSilk. “The addition of dedicated manufacturing capacity is an important step in translating our technology into sustainable commercial growth.”
Hiroshi Kaneko, President of AFE, said the expansion demonstrates the company’s capabilities as a contract manufacturing partner in industrial biotechnology. He said AFE is positioned to scale AMSilk’s silk proteins “to commercial volumes and support their growth toward hundreds of tons per year and beyond.”
The Nesle facility uses locally sourced raw materials and renewable energy. Its location in France is expected to support supply chain efficiency and reduce lead times. The “Made in France” designation is also anticipated to strengthen the product’s appeal to European customers.
At full performance, the production system is expected to reach commercial volumes of consistent, industrial-grade silk protein. AMSilk targets applications across textiles, automotive and consumer care. The agreement also includes a framework for adding further precision fermentation capacity in coming years.
