Silk Protein Market Size & Growth Analysis to 2030

The global silk protein market size was valued at around USD 1 billion in 2023 and projected to grow at a significant CAGR of over 6% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2030. The Silk Protein Market is experiencing robust growth, driven by its unique properties such as biocompatibility, tensile strength, and moisturizing capabilities. Silk proteins, primarily fibroin and sericin, are gaining traction across industries including cosmetics, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. Fibroin’s structural strength makes it ideal for luxury fabrics and biomedical applications like sutures and tissue engineering, while sericin’s hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties drive its use in skincare and haircare products​.

Key market segments highlight its diverse applications. In cosmetics, silk proteins are incorporated into moisturizers and anti-aging formulations for their elasticity-enhancing benefits. The textiles sector leverages silk proteins for high-end garments and home textiles, while the pharmaceutical and biomedical industries employ them in drug delivery and regenerative medicine. Additionally, the market benefits from growing consumer interest in natural and sustainable ingredients. Challenges, however, include high production costs and supply constraints, as silk protein production is geographically concentrated and labor-intensive​.

Market Snapshot:

Market Drivers

The global silk protein market is experiencing significant growth due to rising demand for sustainable and natural ingredients across industries such as cosmetics, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals. Consumers increasingly favor products derived from renewable sources, and silk protein’s unique characteristics make it an attractive option. Known for its exceptional moisturizing, anti-aging, and biocompatibility properties, silk protein is widely used in high-end skincare and haircare formulations. In the biomedical field, silk proteins like fibroin and sericin are being applied in innovative ways, such as wound healing, drug delivery systems, and tissue engineering. Advances in processing and extraction technologies have further enabled the broader adoption of silk protein across industries, addressing previous challenges related to cost and production scalability​.

A groundbreaking development in the market occurred on 17 January 2024, when AMSilk, a leading company in spider silk-based proteins, announced a partnership with 21st.BIO, a pioneer in bioproduction. This collaboration aims to significantly upscale silk protein production to meet growing global demand. 21st.BIO has developed a new protein production strain through precision fermentation of specialized microorganisms, enabling AMSilk to transition from laboratory-scale production to industrial-scale manufacturing. This partnership marks a pivotal moment in the silk protein industry, demonstrating how advanced biotechnological innovations are addressing scalability challenges. It also underscores the increasing focus on sustainable and cutting-edge production methods to cater to the rising demand for silk proteins in various applications, from cosmetics to biomedical uses.

Market Trends

Rising Demand in Skincare and Haircare: The cosmetic and personal care sector is one of the largest consumers of silk protein, particularly in skincare and haircare products. The unique properties of silk proteins, such as excellent hydration, anti-aging benefits, and the ability to form a protective film on the skin and hair, make them an indispensable ingredient in premium beauty formulations. These proteins are increasingly used in serums, moisturizers, shampoos, and conditioners aimed at restoring and maintaining the natural texture and vitality of the skin and hair. The growing consumer inclination toward natural and chemical-free products is further amplifying this trend, as silk protein offers an effective, organic alternative to synthetic ingredients​.

Food and Beverage Applications: The utilization of silk protein in the food and beverage sector is on the rise, particularly in the development of functional and health-oriented products. Known for its high protein content and amino acid profile, silk protein is increasingly being incorporated into protein-enriched foods, energy bars, and dietary supplements. As consumers continue to prioritize health and wellness, products that leverage the natural benefits of silk protein are becoming more popular. This trend aligns with the broader movement toward clean-label and nutrient-rich foods that cater to health-conscious buyers​.

Innovative Applications in Textiles: In the textile industry, silk protein is being employed in innovative ways, going beyond traditional silk fabrics. Its moisture-wicking, hypoallergenic, and antimicrobial properties make it ideal for use in advanced textiles, including high-performance sportswear, medical fabrics, and luxury bedding. These properties not only enhance comfort and usability but also cater to sustainability-focused consumers. With increasing interest in eco-friendly materials, silk protein is being used to create textiles that are biodegradable and environmentally friendly​.

Regional Leadership in Asia-Pacific: The Asia-Pacific region continues to dominate the silk protein market, thanks to its long-standing history of silk production and innovation. Countries such as China, India, and Japan are at the forefront of silk protein applications, leveraging their abundant raw material availability and well-established silk industries. This region benefits from a growing demand for natural ingredients in cosmetics and food products, as well as advancements in production technologies​.

Focus on Sustainability: Sustainability is a critical focus area in the silk protein industry, as consumers and manufacturers alike are becoming increasingly conscious of environmental impacts. Companies are adopting eco-friendly extraction processes and leveraging biotechnology to develop innovative production methods. For example, AMSilk’s recent partnership with 21st.BIO to upscale silk protein production using precision fermentation highlights the shift toward sustainable, scalable solutions that can meet global demand without depleting natural resources.

Market Opportunities

The global silk protein market presents growing opportunities, driven by the rising demand for sustainable and natural ingredients across industries like cosmetics, food, and textiles. Silk protein, renowned for its moisturizing, anti-aging, and skin-soothing properties, is becoming a key ingredient in premium skincare and haircare products. Additionally, the health and wellness boom has fueled its incorporation into protein-enriched foods and dietary supplements, as consumers seek natural, clean-label protein sources. Its multifunctional properties allow silk protein to penetrate various sectors, from beauty products to functional foods, fueling market demand​.

A recent notable development in the market is Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, a company specializing in advanced silk protein technologies, which has successfully achieved large-scale production of recombinant spider silk proteins. The company has partnered with Thai Silk, a leader in the Thai silk industry, to establish a commercial-scale manufacturing facility. This partnership aims to utilize Kraig’s innovative spider silk production technology to produce silk proteins for use in textiles, biomedicine, and other high-performance applications. Such collaborations are expected to significantly reduce production costs and increase the availability of silk protein, further driving its adoption across diverse industries​.

Market Restraints

The global silk protein market faces several restraining factors that limit its growth. One key challenge is the high production cost. The process of extracting and manufacturing silk protein, especially from recombinant sources, remains expensive due to the complex and specialized technology required. This increases the overall cost, making silk protein less competitive compared to more affordable alternatives like plant-based or animal-derived proteins. Another issue is the relatively slow commercialization of silk protein technologies, as scaling up production to meet growing demand proves difficult for many companies. Moreover, consumer awareness of silk protein, particularly in food and beverage applications, is still limited, which may slow its adoption across these sectors​.

Market Insights

The global silk protein market is bifurcated into type, form, application, and geography. On the basis of type, the fibroin segment dominated the market in 2023 due to its wide-ranging applications across multiple high-demand industries. Fibroin is the structural protein in silk that gives silk its strength and durability, making it a critical component in the textile industry. Its ability to form high-performance fabrics, such as sportswear, medical textiles, and eco-friendly fabrics, contributes significantly to its dominance. Moreover, fibroin’s properties extend to the biotechnology sector, where it is used in medical applications like wound healing, tissue engineering, and controlled drug delivery. These applications are growing rapidly as the demand for sustainable, biodegradable materials increases, further driving fibroin’s importance in the market. Its diverse utility, combined with growing interest in eco-conscious solutions, cements fibroin as the leading segment in the market.

In contrast, sericin remains a niche player in the market, with more limited industrial uses. Although sericin is valued for its moisturizing, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory properties in the cosmetic and skincare industries, its applications are relatively restricted when compared to fibroin. Sericin’s water-soluble nature makes it an excellent ingredient in beauty products aimed at improving skin health, but its commercial reach is not as broad as fibroin’s. While it is also used in some medical applications, such as wound healing, sericin does not enjoy the same level of demand in industrial sectors like textiles or biotechnology. The relatively specialized demand for sericin results in fibroin maintaining a larger share of the market, especially as industries continue to prioritize durability, performance, and sustainability.

The silk protein market research report presents the analysis of each segment from 2020 to 2030 considering 2023 as the base year for the research. The compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) for each respective segment is calculated for the forecast period from 2024 to 2030.

Historical & Forecast Period

• 2020-22 – Historical Year
• 2023 – Base Year
• 2024-2030 – Forecast Period

Market Segmentation:

By Type:

• Sericin
• Fibroin

By Form:

• Powder
• Oil

By Application:

• Pharmaceuticals
• Dietary Supplements
• Cosmetics & Personal Care
• Textiles
• Food & Beverages

By Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa

Regional Analysis:

Geographically, the Asia Pacific dominated the global silk protein market in the benchmark year 2023, driven primarily by the region’s strong presence in silk production and its rapidly growing industries in biotechnology, cosmetics, and textiles. Countries like China and India, which have long histories in sericulture, continue to lead in the cultivation of silkworms and the production of silk proteins. In recent years, these countries have also made significant strides in advancing silk protein production technologies, such as recombinant silk proteins, positioning them as key players in the global market. The widespread use of silk proteins in various applications, including eco-friendly textiles and high-performance medical devices, further fuels the market growth in the Asia-Pacific region​.

Additionally, the demand for natural, sustainable materials has spurred the adoption of silk proteins across industries like skincare, health supplements, and biomedicine in the Asia-Pacific region. The growing focus on sustainability in textile manufacturing and consumer goods also drives the uptake of silk proteins in eco-conscious applications. The region’s strong research and development activities, along with the presence of leading silk protein producers like Kraig Biocraft Laboratories and AMSilk, are enhancing its market dominance. As the demand for silk protein continues to expand globally, Asia-Pacific’s robust supply chain, low production costs, and technological advancements keep it as the dominant region in the global market​.

Competitive Landscape

Some of the prominent market players operating in the global silk protein market are AMSilk, Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Bolt Threads, Caribbean Natural Products Inc., and Huzhou Aotesi Biochemical. Companies are exploring markets by expansion, new investment, the introduction of new services, and collaboration as their preferred strategies. Players are exploring new geography through expansion and acquisition to gain a competitive advantage through joint synergy.

Recent Developments:

• In April 2024, Givaudan introduced a new vegan silk protein called Silk-iCare, designed to protect and repair the skin. Leveraging white biotechnology, Silk-iCare represents a “significant advancement” in biomimetic silk protein technology, offering notable skin benefits, according to the beauty and fragrance company.
• In January 2024, AMSilk, a global leader in spider silk-based protein products, announced a strategic partnership with 21st.BIO, a prominent bioproduction company. This collaboration aims to accelerate AMSilk’s production capabilities. 21st.BIO developed a novel protein production strain using precision-fermented microorganisms, facilitating AMSilk’s transition from laboratory-scale operations to large-scale industrial manufacturing.
• In February 2023, Evonik partnered with AMSilk to commercially produce new silk protein-based products. By utilizing its contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) controlled fermentation facility in Slovakia, Evonik is helping scale up the production of innovative silk proteins to meet industrial demands.

Key Companies:

• AMSilk
• Kraig Biocraft Laboratories
• Bolt Threads
• Caribbean Natural Products Inc.
• Huzhou Aotesi Biochemical
• Huzhou Xintiansi Bio-tech Co., Ltd.
• KISCO Ltd
• Proteina
• SilkTech Biopharmaceuticals
• Universal Preserv-A-Chem Inc.
• Proteina

Key Questions Answered by Silk Protein Market Report

• Global silk protein market forecasts from 2024-2030
• Regional market forecasts from 2024-2030 covering Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America
• Country-level forecasts from 2024-2030 covering 15 major countries from the regions as mentioned above
• Silk protein submarket forecasts from 2024-2030 covering the market by type, form, application, and geography
• Various industry models such as SWOT analysis, Value Chain Analysis about the market
• Analysis of the key factors driving and restraining the growth of the global, regional, and country-level silk protein markets from 2024-2030
• Competitive Landscape and market positioning of top 10 players operating in the market