Close-up of bio-based silk protein fibers and consumer care products by AMSilk – sustainable biotech materials for multiple industries

Redefining material excellence – our story in silk protein innovation

AMSilk, headquartered in Neuried near Munich, is a frontrunner in the industrial supply of biotech produced materials based on silk proteins. Using a unique technology, protected by a best-in-class patent portfolio, we are pushing boundaries in the field of biobased materials. At AMSilk, we turn man-made proteins into formulations, including fibers and yarns, hydrogels and silk powder. The high-performance qualities of our material provide a better alternative than many traditional materials enabling a wide range of applications in the textile, homecare, biomedical, and automobile industries. Since the foundation in 2008, we have grown from a start-up into a well-established, reputable industry partner, who collaborated with leading global companies to bring breakthrough benefits for products and consumers.

Our vision

We believe that nature offers better alternatives to many existing materials by using previously unimaginable biological technologies. Today, biotechnology is revolutionizing industries and society by enabling the production of unique, high-performing biomaterials for multiple applications. Over the next decades, biotechnology will continue to provide innovative ways to harness biological processes, boosting our economy and creating exciting opportunities for advanced materials and sustainable solutions. At AMSilk we are heading this transformation by providing a new class of bioengineered materials with superior performance and lower carbon footprint than most petroleum-based, animal-based or other plant-based alternatives.

Our vision is to enable true change in major industries and for consumers` lives through biofabricated materials.

Leading the change with our bioengineered materials

Exterior view of AMSilk’s biotech company headquarters in Munich, specializing in innovative silk protein materials

Our heritage

In 2008 the founders of AMSilk started with the idea to make spider thread available in industrial quantities. Spider silk is one of the most fascinating materials on earth: two and a half times stronger than steel, and extremely versatile. However, farming natural spider silk has unfortunately not proven to be scalable. The key to success is using biotechnology. AMSilk was one of the prime movers to invent large structural proteins that can replace chemical products or products of animal origin and has developed a biological process to produce complex proteins in large bio-industrial plants. Since then, we have grown from a start-up into a well-established, reputable industry partner.

Prime mover to invent large structural proteins

Close-up abstract silk fiber structure symbolizing AMSilk’s biotech silk protein innovation in Munich, Germany

Our Technology

Closed-loop process of AMSilk's biotech silk protein technology for sustainable material innovation

Our AMSilk silk protein Yarns

AMSilk's biotech silk protein yarns for sustainable material innovation

Our AMSilk Consumer Care Solutions

AMSilk biotech silk proteins are the material innovation for consumer care industry

Our AMSilk Growth Applications

AMSilk's Biotech Silk Proteins replicated and engineered for a sustainable material innovation

Our Values

Innovation
The heartbeat of our company. We unlock ground-breaking potential by combining creativity, scientific excellence, and the highest standards. Every idea is valued, driving us to even better solutions and the delivery of world-changing products.

Customer Orientation
We help our customers make a difference in their industries. With our biological technology we support our customers to make the planet a better place by replacing petroleum and animal derived products with plant-based innovations.

Impact
We create value based on sustainable growth. We strive to be a global leader and extend our bioengineered protein technology into multiple industries and applications. We believe in the value of long-term relationships.

Responsibility
We take full responsibility for our decisions, actions and results! We are committed to protecting the environment and are responsible corporate citizens. We strive for the highest standards of personal conduct. Fairness and integrity guide our behavior.

Together
Teamwork is the key to our success! We are devoted to the well-being and personal development of our em-ployees. We reject discrimination and harass-ment, promoting an inclusive and multi-cultural environment.

Code of Conduct

AMSilk Management

Ulrich Scherbel
CEO

Since studying textile chemistry, Ulrich Scherbel has acquired more than 25 years of global expertise in performance textiles. He has held various positions in multinational companies in the areas of business development, sales, operations and general management. Prior to joining AMSilk, he served as General Manager Global Apparel Division at Freudenberg Performance Materials, a leading global company in the field of innovative textiles.
Ulrich Scherbel joined AMSilk in 2020 as COO and was appointed CEO in 2021. In this role, he continues to drive business growth and leads the strategic expansion into new industries and applications. Scherbel’s vision is that AMSilk’s biotechnology and protein products will continue to encourage our customers to change to better and more sustainable products in their industries. This generates enduring change for customers and consumers.

Ralph Fraundorfer
CFO

Ralph Fraundorfer is an experienced finance executive. After graduating from his studies in business administration in Passau and Kiel, he started his professional career at Shell, followed by Vitra and Syngenta, where he first worked as Project Manager across twelve countries in the Asia-Pacific before being promoted to Global Financial Controller for Research & Development. This was followed by the position of Regional Finance Director at Actelion Pharmaceuticals, a dynamic scale-up with peak annual sales of CHF 2 billion. Prior to joining AMSilk, Ralph was CFO of Tropic Biosciences, a pioneer in the field of agricultural gene editing, where he built the finance function from scratch, enabling strong growth from 40 to over 150 employees and successfully closing several financing rounds. Ralph Fraundorfer is passionate about positioning AMSilk as a global supplier of advanced materials and will play a crucial role in bringing AMSilk to the next level of commercialization.

Gudrun Vogtentanz
CSO

Gudrun Vogtentanz has held the newly created position of Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) since October 2023. In this role Gudrun Vogtentanz will be responsible for AMSilk’s protein and strain strategy as well as bridging science and business development. With many years in the field of biotechnology research, Gudrun has a proven international track record in project and portfolio management, as well as R&D product development. She joins from DSM Nutritional Products in Switzerland, where she was Innovation Program Director, establishing new portfolio processes and leading strategic innovation projects. Prior to that, she was Research Program Director at Biomin Holding, where she oversaw the enzyme portfolio for animal nutrition and health. Gudrun also worked more than 15 years in the US, among others as a scientist at DuPont Industrial Biosciences, based in Palo Alto, CA, where she established protein engineering processes shortening time-to-market and led crossfunctional teams.

Ctibor Kohutovic, Chief Process Officer at AMSilk, optimizing biotech silk protein production and scalable process innovation

Ctibor Kohutovic
CPO

As the Chief Production Officer (CPO) of AMSilk, Ctibor Kohutovic brings extensive experience in global production processes, process improvement and contract manufacturing to the Company. His career began in 1998 as a Fermentation Process Engineer at Evonik’s Fermas site. He then held various positions at Evonik, in North America and later in Slovakia, including roles such as Senior Financial Analyst, Head of Controlling and Process Improvement Manager and Strategic Project Manager, and CMO Business Development Manager in Slovakia. Prior to joining AMSilk, he oversaw Strategic Projects at Evonik Operations and served as Site Controller at Evonik Fermas. Ctibor Kohutovic enhances the skills and competence of AMSilk’s Management Team as the Company scales and ramps up production. He will lead the expansion of production capabilities for AMSilk and foster collaboration with our CMO partners.

Advisory Board

Dr. Wolfgang Colberg, Board Member at AMSilk, supporting strategic growth of biotech silk protein technologies

Dr. Wolfgang Colberg
Chairman
Industrial Partner

Michael Motschmann, Board Member at AMSilk, contributing investment expertise to scale biotech silk protein innovations

Michael Motschmann
Vice Chairman
General Partner and member of the Executive Board at MIG Fonds

Daniel Kolb, Board Member at AMSilk, supporting biotech silk protein innovation through strategic leadership

Daniel Kolb
Advisory Board Member
Direct Investments at ATHOS KG

Mauricio Graber, Board Member at AMSilk, bringing global leadership to biotech silk protein innovation and commercialization

Mauricio Graber
Advisory Board Member
Board Member at Novo Holdings A/S

Dr. Marcus Remmers, Board Member at AMSilk, advancing innovation and sustainability in biotech silk protein materials

Dr. Marcus Remmers
Advisory Board Member
Partner at Novo Holdings A/S

We value sustainable partnerships

Our goal is to build long-term partnerships. Together with our customers we develop joint visions and clearly define the roles of all stakeholders, enabling us to build sustainable business models that add maximum value for both parties.

We care about every customer in our partnership network and warmly welcome all new clients.