US firm considers USD50m investment in silkworm development

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories met with the authorities of Quang Nam Province on July 4 to discuss silkworm technology.

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories considers investments in silkworm technology.

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories is focused on spider silk and other high-performance polymers. During the meeting, KBL asked Quang Nam authorities to prepare 50 hectares for the trial production of mulberry and crossbred grafted Bombyx Mori with silkworms currently available in Quang Nam.

According to KBL, Bombyx Mori has been given a certified safe by the US Department of Agriculture. It has asked to meet with local agencies in Vietnam and the representative of US Agricultural Inspection Service in Vietnam to discuss importing and crossbreeding trials of the silkworm.

Dinh Van Thu, chairman of Quang Nam Province, said they would create favourable conditions for KBL to work in Vietnam if the silkworm was approved by state agencies.

KBL Director Jon Rice, said that after 16 years of research, they had created a silkworm that can produce threads that are five to ten times stronger and more elastic than steel yarns. It can be used in making bulletproof vests, or in construction, fashion industries as well as raising stem cells for bone regeneration.

KBL has already signed contracts with the US military and received requests from many major customers. According to Rice, combining the high-tech silkworm with the traditional silkworm raising work in Quang Nam will create high-quality silk yarn.