One Million Transgenic Silkworms Being Deployed as Production Targets 10 Metric Tons per MonthDENVER, Feb. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 247marketnews.com, a pioneer in digital media dedicated to the swift distribution of financial market news and information, reports that Kraig Biocraft Laboratories (OTCQB: KBLB) (“the Company” or “Kraig Labs”), the undisputed global leader in the development and commercialization of spider silk, is entering what may prove to be the defining phase of its multi-decade develo ...

Core Insights - Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. is launching a significant hiring initiative to expand its production workforce in Southeast Asia, driven by increasing throughput and the development of a new production center [1][4] Group 1: Hiring Initiative - The company is ramping up staffing to support expected increases in production volumes over the coming quarters [2] - New hires will receive specialized training from Dr. Nirmal Kumar, a leading expert in sericulture, to enhance operational growth and production capacity [3] Group 2: Production Strategy - The hiring initiative reflects the company's momentum and commitment to a forward-looking production strategy, aiming to scale up next-generation spider silk technology [4] - The expanded workforce will help meet both near-term production targets and long-term commercial opportunities as the new production center is developed [4] Group 3: Future Outlook - Kraig Labs plans to continue adding staff and resources to fulfill its mission of delivering cost-effective, eco-friendly, industrial-scale recombinant spider silk [5]

Core Insights - Kraig Biocraft Laboratories (KBLB) is positioned to lead a potential multi-billion-dollar eco-luxury apparel market through its development of synthetic spider silk [1][2] - The market for synthetic spider silk in the apparel sector could reach $1.4 to $2.1 billion annually by 2030, with projections of up to $3 billion by 2035 [2][9] Company Overview - Kraig Biocraft Laboratories specializes in the development and commercialization of spider silk-based fiber technologies, utilizing proprietary transgenic silkworm technology for scalable production [7] - The company aims to produce sustainable spider silk garments at competitive price points for luxury and other markets [4][5] Market Potential - The eco-luxury apparel market is expected to grow significantly, with spider silk garments potentially capturing 0.5% to 1% of the broader $250 to $330 billion global luxury apparel market, translating to $1.25 to $3.3 billion in sales [9] - As environmental scrutiny increases in the fashion supply chain, Kraig Labs is well-positioned to leverage existing silkworm farming infrastructure for competitive pricing and scalability [6]

Core Insights - Kraig Biocraft Laboratories (OTCQB: KBLB) is positioned as a leader in the development and commercialization of spider silk, which could revolutionize next-generation body armor and ballistic textiles [1][3][4] Company Overview - Kraig Biocraft Laboratories focuses on producing spider silk-based fiber technologies through genetically engineered silkworms, enabling high-performance and scalable materials for various applications [6] Industry Context - Spider silk is recognized for its superior toughness-to-weight ratio compared to traditional materials like Kevlar and steel, making it a promising candidate for advanced protective gear [2][8] - The commercial potential of spider silk has been limited due to the challenges of farming spiders, which are territorial, unlike silkworms [2] Technological Advancements - Kraig Labs has developed a sustainable platform for mass-producing spider silk fibers, which could redefine personal protection and military armor [3][4] - The company aims to transition spider silk from a laboratory novelty to a strategic material for lightweight and flexible armor solutions [4] Market Opportunities - With increasing global defense budgets and a demand for protection that maintains mobility, spider silk is emerging as a leading candidate for the future of ballistic protection [5][8] - Potential applications include bullet-resistant vests, helmets, combat uniforms, and protective gear for law enforcement and civilians in high-risk areas [8]

Core Insights - Circular fashion is gaining traction as an ethical necessity and a significant economic opportunity within the $1.5 trillion global apparel industry [1][2] - The circular fashion market is projected to exceed $200 billion by 2030, driven by consumer demand, ESG mandates, and regulatory changes [2] - Kraig Biocraft Laboratories is positioned to lead this transformation with its biodegradable spider silk technology [1][3] Industry Overview - The circular fashion model aims to eliminate 92 million tons of textile waste produced globally each year [2] - Governments and major fashion brands are accelerating their sustainability efforts, aligning with circular economy principles [2][7] - The luxury fashion market is expected to surpass $330 billion by 2030, with sustainable fashion growing faster than the overall industry [6] Company Positioning - Kraig Labs' spider silk is a renewable and biodegradable alternative to synthetic fibers, offering superior strength and elasticity [3][4] - The company utilizes existing silk production infrastructure to create a scalable supply chain for spider silk, enabling apparel brands to replace unsustainable materials [5] - Kraig Labs has a strong intellectual property portfolio and is ramping up commercial-scale production to meet the demand for sustainable textiles [7] Economic Potential - A mere 0.5–1% share of the luxury market using spider silk could yield annual sales between $1.25 billion and $3.3 billion [8] - The synthetic spider silk market is projected to reach $7 billion by 2030, with apparel applications potentially accounting for $1.4–$2.1 billion [8] - Circular fashion principles facilitate take-back programs and closed-loop recycling, enhancing the sustainability narrative and lifecycle economics [6] Strategic Opportunities - Kraig Labs is forming strategic partnerships with eco-luxury brands seeking sustainable alternatives [14] - There is a growing institutional interest in ESG-aligned textile supply chains, driven by rising consumer demand for biodegradable clothing [14]

Core Insights - Kraig Biocraft Laboratories has achieved a significant milestone in biotechnology by successfully mass-producing spider silk using genetically engineered silkworms, addressing a long-standing challenge in the field [1][4][5] Company Overview - Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCQB: KBLB) focuses on the development and commercialization of spider silk-based fiber technologies, utilizing a proprietary silkworm-based genetic engineering platform to produce high-performance, cost-effective, and scalable spider silk materials [8] Technological Breakthrough - The company’s genetically engineered silkworms serve as a factory for spider silk production, enabling a scalable and sustainable supply chain that transitions spider silk from laboratory research to practical applications [4][5] Market Potential - The global spider silk market is projected to grow significantly, with forecasts estimating it will reach $1.3–$1.5 billion by 2035, driven by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 30% [6] - Key sectors contributing to this growth include biomedical applications (sutures, scaffolds, and implants), textiles, military applications, and sustainable materials for aerospace and automotive industries [6] Unique Properties of Spider Silk - Spider silk is recognized for its exceptional mechanical properties, including a superior tensile strength-to-weight ratio, outperforming materials like Kevlar and steel [6][7] - Its biocompatibility and biodegradability make it an attractive option for various applications, particularly in biomedical and sustainable material sectors [2][6] Applications and Opportunities - Potential applications for spider silk include stronger and lighter wearables, biodegradable sutures, next-generation body armor, sustainable textiles, and biomimetic actuators in robotics [9]

Core Insights - Kraig Biocraft Laboratories has achieved a significant milestone by successfully mass-producing spider silk using genetically engineered silkworms, addressing a long-standing challenge in biotechnology [1][2][3] Company Overview - Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (OTCQB: KBLB) focuses on the development and commercialization of spider silk-based fiber technologies, utilizing a proprietary silkworm-based genetic engineering platform [5] - The company aims to produce high-performance, cost-effective, and scalable spider silk materials for various applications, including defense, performance apparel, technical textiles, and medical uses [5] Technological Breakthrough - The company’s genetically engineered silkworms serve as a factory for spider silk production, enabling a scalable, cost-effective, and sustainable supply chain [2][3] - This breakthrough allows spider silk to transition from laboratory research to practical applications, making it accessible to various industries [3] Market Applications - Interest in Kraig's spider silk technology spans multiple sectors, including: - Inventors creating stronger, lighter wearables or materials [7] - Biomedical engineers developing biodegradable sutures and scaffolds [7] - Defense contractors designing next-generation body armor [7] - Outdoor brands seeking sustainable, high-performance textiles [7] - Robotics teams working on biomimetic actuators or tethers [7]

Core Insights - Kraig Biocraft Laboratories (OTCQB: KBLB) has achieved a significant milestone by successfully mass-producing spider silk using genetically engineered silkworms, addressing a long-standing challenge in biotechnology [1][2][3] Company Overview - Kraig Biocraft Laboratories is a biotechnology company focused on developing and commercializing spider silk-based fiber technologies, utilizing a proprietary silkworm-based genetic engineering platform [5] - The company aims to produce high-performance, cost-effective, and scalable spider silk materials for various applications, including defense, performance apparel, technical textiles, and medical uses [5] Technological Breakthrough - The company's genetically engineered silkworms serve as a factory for spider silk production, enabling a scalable and sustainable supply chain that was previously unattainable due to the challenges of farming spiders [2][3] - This breakthrough allows spider silk to transition from laboratory research to practical applications, making it accessible to a wide range of industries, including construction, biomedical engineering, and outdoor apparel [3][7] Market Applications - Potential applications for spider silk include stronger and lighter materials for wearables, biodegradable sutures and scaffolds in biomedical engineering, next-generation body armor for defense contractors, and sustainable textiles for outdoor brands [7]

Core Insights - Kraig Biocraft Laboratories (OTCQB: KBLB) is positioned as a leader in the development and commercialization of recombinant spider silk, with significant potential applications in various athletic and smart textile markets [1][5][6] Company Overview - Kraig Labs utilizes a proprietary silkworm-based genetic engineering platform to produce high-performance, cost-effective, and scalable spider silk materials for diverse applications including defense, performance apparel, technical textiles, and medical uses [8] Market Potential - The global technical textiles market is valued at $200 billion in 2024, with a projected growth rate of 5.2% CAGR through 2030, indicating a strong opportunity for Kraig Labs to disrupt traditional synthetic materials like polyester and nylon [5] - The global sportswear market exceeds $400 billion, driven by increasing demand for materials that combine technical performance, comfort, and sustainability, creating a prime opportunity for KBLB's scalable silk production [6] Product Applications - Projected use cases for spider silk include compression gear, moisture-wicking base layers, temperature-regulating apparel, and gear for high-impact sports such as skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, and cycling [6] - Kraig Labs is preparing to deliver the first spider silk samples to three apparel/gear companies, focusing on testing for durability, washability, moisture handling, and comfort [3] Technological Advancements - Spider silk's natural properties, including lightweight toughness, high elasticity, breathability, and thermal regulation, make it particularly suitable for athletic settings, offering performance advantages over synthetic textiles [2] - Smart textile enhancements, such as integrating sensors or responsive fibers, may find spider silk an ideal base substrate due to its biocompatible and responsive properties [4]

Core Insights - Kraig Biocraft Laboratories (OTCQB: KBLB) is positioned as a leader in the development and commercialization of spider silk, which is expected to address public health concerns related to microplastics released from nylon and polyester clothing [1][2][3] Group 1: Public Health Concerns - Recent studies indicate that clothing made from plastic materials sheds billions of microplastic fibers into the environment, which can be inhaled and ingested by individuals [2][7] - Microplastics have been detected in human lungs, bloodstreams, placenta, and breast milk, raising significant health concerns [7] Group 2: Spider Silk Advantages - Kraig's spider silk is bioengineered from silkworms, providing a non-toxic, biodegradable alternative to traditional plastic-based fibers [3][8] - The spider silk material is breathable, skin-compatible, and suitable for next-to-skin garments, including athletic wear, without the risk of microplastic shedding [8] Group 3: Commercialization Strategy - Kraig Labs is preparing to deliver spider silk textile samples to two apparel brands as part of its commercialization strategy, aiming to penetrate health-conscious and eco-conscious fashion markets [3][5] - The company’s proprietary genetic engineering platform allows for the production of high-performance, cost-effective spider silk materials for various applications, including defense and medical uses [5]