Integrated process from silkworm to yarn for the recovery of the Italian silk supply chain.

The project

Silknet is a project that aims to relaunch the supply chain of Italian silk; through a sustainable business model, reconsidering and optimizing it through innovative and sustainable processes. Another aim is to achieve the creation of new products and/or the expansion of the use of silk in sectors such as clothing and furniture, in order to compete with Chinese productions.

The project involves the development of a new integrated process for the production of silk, from cocoon to yarn. The process is focused on the production of schappe silk (short fiber). And it is more efficient and sustainable than traditional processes, because it allows to use all the by-products of silk production, such as chrysalis and sericin, favoring a circular economy process.

Another innovative aspect is certainly the introduction of an industrial processing technology that is a prerequisite for the rebirth of the Italian production chain (integrated process from cocoon to yarn).

Silknet addresses the following subjects:

– machinery manufacture companies (development of a processing technology from cocoon to yarn that does not exist today).

– Textile companies (production of fabrics with innovative effects not yet on the market, possibility of producing yarns and silk fabrics characterized by complete traceability and available on the international market as 100% Made In Italy).

– Consumers who can use eco-friendly products, for the benefit of the environment and people.

Partners

• Nuova Cosmatex
• Caipo Automazione Industriale
• Tessitura Pertile
• Biella Manifatture Tessili
• Fratelli Piacenza

Research organisations:

• InnovHub – Stazione Sperimentale della Seta
• CNR-ISMAC Biella