[pageLogInLogOut]

#Man-Made Fibers

Christian Wichert appointed Chief Executive Officer to lead next phase of growth

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk”), a global leader in advanced biomaterials made from silk proteins, today announces the appointment of Christian Wichert as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective 1 June. The appointment marks a pivotal moment in AMSilk’s journey, as the Company advances from development through scale-up to commercialization.


Building on the successful market entry of AMSilk’s fiber applications, Christian will focus on strengthening the Company’s commercial performance and scaling its proprietary silk protein technology and advanced precision fermentation capabilities across additional applications and markets. Drawing on his experience in scaling businesses and driving profitable growth, he will work to translate AMSilk’s strong technological foundation into a profitable and sustainable business, with a particular focus on the Consumer Care Solutions division.

Christian Wichert brings more than 25 years of international leadership experience. Throughout his career, he has built and led organizations across different industries and markets, with a strong focus on organizational development, execution, and performance. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Evolva AG, a publicly listed Swiss biotechnology company, where he gained extensive capital markets experience and headed the company through a period of strategic transformation, including its sale to Danstar Ferment AG/Lallemand Group. Earlier in his career, he held international leadership roles across the specialty chemicals, consumer packaged goods, MedTech, and industrial biotech, thereby gaining wide-ranging experience in several key application areas which are strategically important for AMSilk’s future growth.

Christian Wichert, newly appointed Chief Executive Officer, said: “AMSilk is a true pioneer in its field, and I am honored to join as Chief Executive Officer at such an important stage in the Company’s development. What particularly impressed me is the combination of a unique technology with significant market potential and a highly committed and purpose-driven team. This creates a compelling foundation for further growth and the development of new applications. My priority will be to build on these strengths and support AMSilk in realizing its full potential across its key markets.”

Ulrich Scherbel, who successfully led AMSilk from technology development to commercial market entry, will remain with the Company as Managing Director and assume responsibility as Chief Operating Officer Premium Filaments. He commented: “Christian’s appointment marks an important milestone and AMSilk’s next phase of growth. I am proud of what we have achieved, transforming AMSilk by securing strategic partnerships with 21st.BIO, Evonik, and Ajinomoto, and bringing the first commercially available products based on AMSilk’s biotech silk protein yarns to market. I look forward to continuing to develop our Premium Filament business as a key strategic growth pillar and value driver for AMSilk.”

Dr. Wolfgang Colberg, Chairman of the Board at AMSilk, commented; “AMSilk’s core focus is now on accelerating scale-up and strengthening commercial execution. Christian brings a strong track record in leading international businesses, driving performance and building the organizational structures required for sustainable growth. His appointment reflects our ambition to further strengthen AMSilk’s market position and prepare the Company for the next stage of its evolution. We would like to thank Ulrich Scherbel for his excellent stewardship during his time as CEO and are thankful to retain his experience and leadership within our newly structured management team.”



More News from AMSilk GmbH

#Raw Materials

AMSilk and Ajinomoto Foods Europe expand partnership to enable industrial-scale production of silk proteins

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk”), a global leader leader in biotech produced silk materials, today announced a significant expansion of its partnership with Ajinomoto Foods Europe (AFE), marking a key step in scaling the industrial production of its silk proteins. Building on the collaboration first established in 2023, the two companies have now entered into a long-term manufacturing and supply agreement, enabling the transition from industrial validation to dedicated, large-scale production.

#Man-Made Fibers

AMSilk appoints Jeno Schadrack as CFO ahead of key growth financing round

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk”), a global leader in bio engineered performance materials made from silk proteins, today announces the appointment of Jeno Schadrack as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He will assume full responsibility for the finance function.

#Natural Fibers

AMSilk’s silk protein yarns debut in Balenciaga collection

AMSilk GmbH (“AMSilk”), a global leader in advanced biomaterials made from silk proteins, today announced that its bioengineered yarns are featured in commercially available garments within Balenciaga’s Spring 2026 collection.

#Raw Materials

Evonik and AMSilk extend partnership for sustainable biotech silk materials

Evonik and AMSilk, a global leader in advanced biomaterials based on silk proteins, have deepened their collaboration with a long-term agreement to produce sustainable silk proteins at industrial scale. Building on their initial manufacturing agreement from 2023, the companies have commissioned a manufacturing line at Evonik’s Slovakian site for AMSilk’s high-performance silk. This innovative biomaterial is produced with minimal environmental impact and is designed for use in premium fashion and highly demanding automotive interiors.

More News on Man-Made Fibers

#Man-Made Fibers

Lenzing improves profitability as strategic transformation gains momentum

The Lenzing Group reported improved operating profitability in the first nine months of 2026 despite declining revenue and a challenging market environment. Revenue decreased by 2.3 percent to EUR 1.93 billion, while adjusted EBITDA remained stable at EUR 353 million. The adjusted EBITDA margin increased from 17.9 percent to 18.3 percent, reflecting progress in the company's strategic transformation under its “Grow Nonwovens. Reset Textiles.” strategy.

#Man-Made Fibers

Spinnova and Outlast to develop new textile materials for thermal insulation and temperature regulation

Spinnova Plc, a Finnish materials technology company developing textile fibres from wood pulp and other cellulose-based raw materials, has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with Germany-based Outlast Technologies GmbH, a specialist in temperature regulation and insulation technologies. The collaboration aims to explore the development of high-performance textile materials combining SPINNOVA® fibre with Outlast's functional technologies.

#Man-Made Fibers

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories launches performance yarn development program based on spider silk

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories has launched a development program for high-performance yarns based on its recombinant spider silk technology. The initiative follows the company's first commercial shipment of a custom spider silk yarn to a performance apparel customer and includes the delivery of spider silk samples to a textile technology company with experience in aerospace-related material development.

#Nonwovens

EDANA welcomes definitive EU anti-dumping measures on Chinese PET spunbond

EDANA, the international association serving the nonwovens and related industries, has welcomed the European Commission's decision to impose definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of PET spunbond originating in China. The association considers the measures an important step towards restoring fair competition and safeguarding European industrial capacity.

Latest News

#India ITME 2026

Trützschler brings intelligent fiber processing and automation to India ITME 2026

From December 4 to 9, 2026, the Trützschler Group will present its latest innovations in spinning, card clothing and nonwovens at India ITME in Greater Noida, India. At Hall 11, Booth B15, visitors can discover solutions designed to increase productivity, reduce operating costs and ensure consistently high product quality. Key highlights include the intelligent card TC 26i, the 12-head comber TCO 21XL, innovative card clothing solutions for improved fiber utilization and quality, as well as advanced nonwovens technologies for hygiene, wipes and technical applications.

#Recycling / Circular Economy

Circulose resumes recycling of discarded cotton textiles and appoints interim CEO

Circulose today announced its restart of commercial-scale production plant at Ortviken in Sundsvall, Sweden, marking a significant step in scaling next-generation materials for the global fashion industry. The Ortviken plant is the world’s first commercial-scale chemical textile recycling facility. Its restart demonstrates that the fashion industry is seeking ways to scale proven solutions that move beyond pilots and into commercial production.

#ITMA Asia + CITME 2026

Itema brings textile versatility to ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026

Itema announces its participation in ITMA ASIA + CITME 2026, taking place November 20–24 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai. In Hall 3 – Stand D06, the company will showcase two Galileo-RX rapier weaving machines weaving heavy denim and conveyor belt fabrics, demonstrating its ability to address different textile requirements with application-specific configurations. Five additional Itema machines at partner booths will extend the exhibition lineup to upper shoe fabric, label, Jacquard leno fabrics, and shirting, offering visitors a broader view of Itema rapier and air-jet weaving technologies.

#Dyeing, Drying, Finishing

AEI reaps the benefits of all-electric new Monforts range

The impact of the rising cost of energy on the textile industry has been well documented, with some European countries paying up to seven times more to run their manufacturing operations than in other regions of the world.

TOP