Japanese startup Spiber has recently announced initiation of a joint research and development project using Spiber’s proprietary structural proteins to create novel hair materials with the hair-related, beauty, health and wellness corporation Aderans Company Limited.

This collaboration will allow for the creation of novel hair materials by combining Spiber's structural protein fiber technology with the integrated hair development capabilities built by Aderans over many years.

Spiber will use proprietary technologies to design proteins at the genetic level and produce them through fermentation in microorganisms. These proteins will be customized to meet the required properties for human hair, and new fiber spinning technology will be developed to create desirable fiber shapes and properties.

Based on its wealth of accumulated knowledge of hair, Aderans will evaluate and develop an array of processing, dying, curling and additional necessary methods, and screen prototypes in an attempt to reproduce the unique feel and properties of natural hair.

 R&D regarding initial properties and processes has already begun since last year, and four patent applications have been already submitted. Both companies will continue to accumulate relevant know hows and techniques, aiming for a product launch in two years.