[ World's first knit with fabric produced through microbial fermentation.]

Published: 12 November 2020.

Written by Haydn Davis.

Tokyo - Technical apparel brand Goldwin and biomaterial specialist Spiber have developed the world's first knitted garment made with Brewed Protein, a biopolymer whose plant-based microbial fermentation process makes it well-positioned to deliver significant contributions to animal- and plastic-free initiatives in a range of fields and industries.

Called simply The Sweater, the development is described as a milestone in Goldwin and Spiber's shared mission to reduce the fashion industry's impact on the environment by replacing traditional, petrochemical-based materials and production methods with innovative, bio based solutions.

Designed to emulate a traditional ski sweater, this coarse gauge knit and twisted yarn delivers an ultra soft and comfortable feel in a blend of 70 per cent wool and 30 per cent Brewed Protein. The latter is produced through a microbial fermentation process, which utilizes plant-based feedstock such as sugars as its primary resource, resulting in materials that are said to be well-positioned to contribute significantly to animal-free and plastic-free initiatives in a range of fields, such as the apparel and automotive industries.

The Sweater is Goldwin and Spiber's first Brewed Protein garment brought to market in the US. In 2019, The North Face Japan, which is operated by Goldwin Inc., collaborated with Spiber to release the Moon Parka, the world's first outerwear jacket featuring microbially-produced fabric.

Designed primarily as a conceptual garment, the parka was available for sale only in Japan and was produced in highly limited quantities. Goldwin and Spiber's partnership began in 2015, but The Sweater marks the beginning of a new phase in the partnership, which the companies call "Vision Quest," a project that unites partners around the world in the quest for a better future.

"Mankind has continued to evolve the sweater via the use of technology and knowledge throughout history and it is now essential winter wear," said Takao Watanabe, Goldwin's Head of Development. "The sweater has remained loved by many and its design has also remained largely unchanged since the original sweater first came into existence. The reason why it has played such a big role in the cultures and histories of people all over the world is due to the diverse and versatile animal fibers and the sweater knits that use these to their full potential."

Technical.

Goldwin is an international technical apparel brand with products ranging from high performance skiwear, lifestyle apparel, activewear, and outdoor apparel.

Spiber Inc., established in September 2007, is a Japanese biotechnology venture engaged in the development of innovative biopolymer materials known as Brewed Protein.

Spiber is currently engaged in numerous initiatives to scale up production of its polymers, with construction of its first overseas plant currently underway in Thailand. Scheduled to begin commercial operation in 2021, the plant is anticipated to be the largest structural protein mass-production facility in the world. In October 2020, Spiber also announced a partnership with Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, the world's premier agricultural origination and processing company, towards mass-production of Brewed Protein polymers in the US.

The Sweater is a highly exclusive item which, with an US$800 price tag, will be produced in limited quantities. From November 9, 8 am EST to November 29, 12 am EST, anyone in 11 countries (Japan, US, Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, UK, Sweden, and the Netherlands) can enter an online lottery system that will determine who receives the opportunity to purchase The Sweater. On November 30, 2020, winners will be selected randomly and notified via email of their eligibility to purchase The Sweater. Beginning on December 25, 2020, The Sweater will be shipped to those in the 11 countries who purchased it.

"The Sweater was devised while probing the origins of the supposed original form of these sweaters and what of this will persist into the future," added Watanabe. "Furthermore, black is a color that is made by mixing all other colors and is also said to be the original color. These sweaters that have been with us from the beginning will lead us to the future through modern-day technology. This single black piece of apparel that signifies both the past and the future."

Source.

https://www.knittingtradejournal.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14349:world-s-first-knit-with-fabric-produced-through-microbial-fermentation&catid=22

[ The after effects of COVID 19 to me, a diabetic aged 85 years. Part 2.]

Both of us were OK but I was very weak and wondering how long it would take for both of us to go out for a dinner.

I lost my urge to eat out even after lockdown was lifted

My wife was happy, happily doing her work and I was happy I had come back after 17 days at the hospital with all the medicines, injections and tests going on round the clock. I closed the room door to our room while at the hospital after 11:00 PM but it would be opened some time's to check if we are OK by the nursing staff. Now being at home if I closed the bedroom door my wife will not open and I will get a good sleep.

Now I get good sleep

After few days I had to open the fridge door and tried to look at the imported Beer bottles that I had purchased at Brigade Sherton Grand Hotel, I could not find it anywhere in the fridge. I asked my wife where were the beer bottles kept. She told me the cleaning people who came from the hospital were told by me to throw all that was in the fridge. So no Beer or any drink after I came home from the hospital.There was Lock Down on all Liquor shops.

I lost my bad habit.

While at the hospital I never called my friends but they all kept ringing and stopped calling me after some days.

After I came home no one called me.

 

Anuloma Choorna was a Ayurveda Powder I used to take for my bowl movement. I did not take the bottle to the hospital so I did not take it as I could move my bowl antime at the hospital.

This habit of taking a Ayurveda powder was not required as my bowl movement was fine when I came home from the hospital.

 

My son had arranged a hospital Doctor to come home daily twice morning and evening to check on our health and it was reported to my son by the doctor directly but I used to note it down in my dairy.

That habit has made me note down my BP and Oximeter readings daily after the doctor was stopped since our basic health parameters were constantly in limits.

My eating increased post Covid-19,breakfast, lunch and dinner consisted more of rice and less of healthy diat

I had lost nearly 4 kg weight. May be the body needs to regain my weight was my immagination was wrong so I changed.

I took time to take any decision on all matters.

I did not resume me daily exercises for over 2 months.

Social get to together was impossible.

[ The after effects of COVID 19 to me, a diabetic aged 85 years. ]

I was discharged after 17 days from the hospital. I did not ask anyone about my stay or discharge since I knew everything from the MD of the hospital who was giving my report to may son daily. My son was informing only my improvement daily and nothing else.

I got down from the Ambulance with the help of a hospital staff who came to say goodbye to me and my wife. My wife was also tested positive and she was with me all the days.

As I was about to enter the Apartment near the gate there was one step only. I put my rightleg and was about to lift me leftleg when I suddenly went down on my knees. I was shoked but realized what had happened. The hospital Staff perhaps knew my strength as such they were holding my arms 2 persons one on left and one on right and they lifted me. There were 3 more steps inside before I could enter inside my apartment on the ground floor. I entered my apartment and my helpers made me sit on a comfortable chair said goodbye and left saying 'Wish you both speedy recovery' smilingly.

My wife was having no problem as she sat down in other chair. The 2 persons who were sent from the hospital by the courtesy of the MD of the hospital asked me how they should start the cleaning.I told them since you are doing the work in the hospital you clean as good or better than the hospital start your work and finish the work and ask me if you want any information.

I opened my eyes wide and saw my home looked like a 5 star hotel with my paintings hanging out all around without those paintings of mine perhaps I would be wondering something else. The cleaning person came to me and said all pickle bottles in the fridge are full of worms. I was relaxing quietly and this announcement was a shock. I told him to throw everything in the fridge out.He did it there was 39 bags all tied up kept in the middle of the sitting / dining place. He could not lift it to take it out of the house. I told him to make it in to 2 bags and take it out. Both the cleaners did a good job and left after I paid them and they were happy as I paid more than what I was told.

We had taken our meal at the hospiral and we both slept and for 3 days we just ordered our breakfast,lunch,snacks and dinner on line.