Ann Arbor, Michigan — Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, recognized globally as a leader in spider silk technology, has announced the launch of a new performance yarn development program built on its proprietary recombinant spider silk. Alongside this announcement, the company has confirmed the shipment of spider silk samples to a firm with a proven history of collaborating with tier-1 aerospace manufacturers on advanced material development.
The spider silk yarn program builds directly on the company’s recent commercial milestone — the sale and delivery of a custom yarn to a performance apparel customer — marking a clear progression from initial proof-of-concept to a broader commercialization strategy.
Building the Foundation for Next-Generation Fabrics
The program’s core objective is straightforward: Kraig Biocraft Laboratories will develop new yarn constructions and new material blends, each designed from the ground up to enable the creation of new fabrics, apparel, and advanced materials. Every yarn developed under this initiative will leverage both the performance characteristics and the rarity of spider silk as a material.
The company’s first custom yarn validated the production and delivery process, effectively opening the door to this wider development effort. As Kim Thompson, Founder and CEO of Kraig Labs, stated in the company’s announcement, “Our first custom yarn showed that it is now possible to produce and deliver spider silk to industry. This program takes that further. We are launching the development of new yarns, new constructions, and new blends. Each one is built around the performance and capabilities of spider silk.”
Kraig Labs expects the spider silk yarn program to serve as the groundwork for multiple commercialization paths, which could potentially include new collaborations with brands, mills, and manufacturers, as well as the company’s own ventures in apparel innovation.
Spider Silk Reaches Aerospace Materials Expertise
In parallel with the program launch, Kraig Biocraft Laboratories has shipped samples of its recombinant spider silk to a firm that sits at the intersection of advanced textile engineering and aerospace innovation. The initial shipment was made at the direct request of this recipient, which is known for developing some of the world’s most advanced yarn spinning equipment.
The recipient’s expertise has earned them a collaborative role with tier-1 aerospace manufacturers in developing next-generation fibers and hybrid structures — work conducted in environments where strength, weight, and performance are decisive factors. Placing recombinant spider silk in front of a team with this depth of experience in demanding applications represents a deliberate step by Kraig Labs in advancing its material’s real-world credibility.
“Spider silk is a material that will earn its place through performance,” Thompson noted. “Sending samples of our silk to a firm with this background puts it in front of people who know exactly how to leverage materials with exceptional performance. Every great fabric starts with a yarn. This program is where we build that foundation.”
National Recognition and Growing Industry Visibility
The company’s work in scaling spider silk production was recently featured on the cover of the March 2026 issue of National Geographic, underscoring the growing recognition of Kraig Labs’ role in advancing biomaterials at scale. The full article is available in both print and digital formats directly through National Geographic’s platforms. Kraig Labs was also featured in a spider silk video produced by Veritasium, further reflecting the broader public and scientific interest in the company’s technology.
Kraig Biocraft Laboratories’ technology is built on a scientifically engineered silkworm that incorporates key spider silk proteins to produce recombinant spider silk, forming the biological backbone of all the company’s fiber development work, including the newly launched performance yarn program.
