Creator of Cruelty-Free ‘Spider’ Silk Nabs ‘Innovator for Animals’ Award

PETA Recognizes Spiber Inc. for Creating Durable, Vegan, Petroleum-Free Fiber

For Immediate Release:
September 19, 2016

Contact:
Sophia Charchuk 202-483-7382

As companies worldwide work to meet consumer demand for vegan clothing, shoes, and accessories, Japan-based Spiber Inc. has created a revolutionary new fabric: a cruelty-free “spider” silk that’s strong, elastic, and already in use in The North Face’s Moon Parka. And in recognition of this high-tech development, Spiber will receive an Innovator for Animals Award from PETA.

Approximately 1,400 spiders are used to produce just 1 ounce of silk. By using fermented yeast cells to produce fibroin, Spiber’s cruelty-free spider silk spares spiders the trauma of captivity and stress-induced cannibalism found in the production of spider silk and allows them to live in nature and use their protein fiber for its intended purpose—to make webs, catch prey, and protect their eggs.

“Spiber Inc. is helping lead a vegan fashion revolution of high-tech fabrics that are as durable as they are kind to the Earth and all its inhabitants,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA is calling on companies around the world to follow Spiber’s example and develop new cruelty-free materials that protect and insulate without harming any living beings.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to wear”—recognizes companies that are pushing vegan fashion forward. Previous awardees include Piñatex, which creates durable vegan leather from pineapples, as well as The North Face, for both its Moon Parka and its down-alternative Thermoball™ technology. Unlike down, Thermoball™ retains its insulating abilities even when wet.

PETA will send Spiber Inc. a framed certificate and a letter of congratulations. For more information, please visit PETA.org.