U.S. Army to Test Ann Arbor-based Kraig Biocraft’s Dragon Silk

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Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc. in Ann Arbor today announced it has delivered ballistic shootpack panels to the U.S. Army made of the company’s Dragon Silk material. The panels will be evaluated for effectiveness in stopping bullets.

Dragon Silk is a genetically engineered spider silk that mimics the strength and toughness found in native spider silk but can be produced in large quantities through the company’s specially developed silkworms, which produce more than 150,000 metric tons of silk per year.

Spider silk is extremely flexible, making it comfortable and providing more mobility for the wearer. It is also biocompatible, making it ideal for skin contact, and biodegradable.

“After years of research and investment developing this ground-breaking technology, we are very excited to now see it in the hands of the U.S. Army,” says Jon Rice, COO of Kraig Biocraft. “For me, personally, and for the company, the opportunity to help protect the brave men and women who dedicate themselves to our protection is a great honor.”

The company is in the process of opening a production facility in Vietnam to expand its production capacity of Dragon Silk and its other spider silk offerings.