Entrepreneurship | NTU-Taiwan

01. Introduction

The central goal of SAC’s platform is to create spider silk based biomaterials that can rival traditional materials built on unsustainable platforms; we hope that by doing so, we can contribute to the hard but necessary goal of replacing all unsustainable material usage. To achieve this, however, we cannot just work in isolation; we understand that we need outside resources and assistance in order to make this goal reality. More than that, we also recognize that people's developing understanding of an emerging alternative material like spider silk will dictate its future. Our entrepreneurship efforts focus not only on obtaining the necessary resources and assistance to get our technology closer to real-world implementation, it also focuses on the effective marketing of this novel material through continuous public engagement.

02. Unmet Needs & Potential Customers

Unmet Needs

Environmental Sustainability: Urgent need to replace non-degradable, fossil-based materials with eco-friendly alternatives.
High-Performance Materials: Demand for materials that offer superior strength, flexibility, and durability without environmental compromise.
Biocompatibility in Medical Applications: Necessity for materials that are safe and effective for use in human healthcare. [1]

Potential Customers

Industry	Potential Customers	Needs
Military and Defense	Defense departments, military equipment manufacturers	High-strength, elastic, lightweight materials for protective gear
Biomedical	Hospitals, medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies	Biocompatible, stretchable materials for sutures and implants
Environmental & Sustainability-Focused Manufacturers	Textile and fashion brands focusing on eco-friendly products	Sustainable, biodegradable materials with low carbon footprint
Innovative Startups and R&D	Research institutions, biotech startups, nanotechnology firms	Customizable materials for innovative applications

Table 1 Target Industries and Customer Needs for Spider Silk Applications

Market Opportunity

Global Synthetic Spider Silk Market: Expected to reach US$690.2 million by 2030, with a CAGR of 12.9% from 2023 to 2030. [3] [4] [5]
Demand Drivers:
- Advancements in protein engineering and biotechnology.
- Increasing demand for sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based fibers.
- Rising interest from military and biomedical sectors for high-performance materials. [6]

03. Feasibility, Scalability & Inventiveness

Each year, industries generate vast amounts of synthetic fibers that contribute to significant environmental degradation and pollution. These non-biodegradable fibers, predominantly used in textiles, industrial applications, and other sectors, release microplastics as they break down, ultimately contaminating ecosystems and food sources. While the full extent of the health impacts is still being researched, evidence suggests that microplastics pose serious risks to human health. It is therefore critical to transition away from synthetic fibers and towards sustainable alternatives, such as spider silk, to mitigate this growing environmental threat. [7]

Despite the urgent need for sustainable materials, there are currently no scalable, cost-effective solutions for mass-producing biodegradable spider silk that can rival synthetic fibers in performance and affordability. Spider silk is renowned for its exceptional strength, elasticity, and biocompatibility, making it a highly attractive alternative across industries, from textiles to biomedical applications. However, a large gap remains in the market for these eco-friendly fibers due to the technological challenges of large-scale production. [8] [9]

Through consultations with environmental experts, industrial stakeholders, and material science researchers, we have identified a strong and growing demand for cost-competitive, sustainable biomaterials like spider silk. In discussions with biomanufacturing experts and industry partners, we have outlined a clear path for scaling up spider silk production from research to commercial applications, offering a promising solution for reducing reliance on synthetic fibers and minimizing environmental harm.

Innovative Technology

GPT-Driven Protein Sequence Prediction Model:
- Customization: Users input desired properties (strength, elasticity, extensibility), and the AI model generates corresponding spider silk protein sequences.
- Experimental Validation: Generated sequences have been tested and meet the specified requirements.
Eco-Friendly Production:
- Wastewater Utilization: Production uses wastewater as a raw material, reducing environmental impact and aligning with global carbon reduction goals.
- Lower Carbon Emissions: Sustainable production process minimizes carbon footprint.

Scalability

Versatile Applications:
- Military: High-strength, elastic spider silk for protective equipment.
- Medical: Biocompatible, extensible spider silk for surgical applications.
- Textiles: Sustainable fibers for eco-conscious fashion brands.
Production Scaling:
- Pilot Production: Establish small-scale production lines in partnership with local biotech companies.
- Industrial Scale-Up: Gradual expansion of production capacity, optimizing supply chains to reduce costs.

Inventiveness

Proprietary GPT Model: Unique AI-driven approach to material design, offering rapid customization.
Sustainable Materials: Integration of eco-friendly raw materials and processes sets the company apart in the market.

Figure 1. SWOT Analysis of NTU-Taiwan SAC Technology

Figure 2. Five Forces Analysis of the NTU-Taiwan SAC Project

04. Direct & Indirect Competitors Analysis

Understanding the competitive landscape is crucial for positioning NTU-Taiwan Spider Silk Biotech Co. in the market. Below, we analyze our direct, indirect, and future competitors, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages.

Direct Competitors

Direct competitors are businesses that offer similar products or services to the same target market as our company. In our case, several companies are developing synthetic spider silk or high-performance biomaterials using advanced biotechnology.

Company	Products	Advantages	Disadvantages
Spiber Inc. [10]	Brewed Protein™ materials	Pioneering technology Major brand partnerships	High production costs Scaling challenges
AMSilk GmbH [11]	Biosteel® fibers	Medical-grade materials Biocompatibility	Limited capacity High costs
Bolt Threads [12]	Microsilk™, Mylo™	Innovative, sustainable materials Fashion partnerships	Scalability issues Premium pricing
Kraig Biocraft Laboratories [13]	Dragon Silk™	Utilizes existing infrastructure Potential scalability	Regulatory hurdles Consistency concerns
Seevix Material Sciences [14]	SVX™ spider silk fibers	Proprietary technology Diverse applications	Early-stage commercialization Production scaling

Table 2 Direct Competitors of NTU-Taiwan SAC

Indirect Competitors

Indirect competitors offer different products or services but target similar customer segments and fulfill similar needs. For us, indirect competitors are producers of other high-performance materials that could substitute for synthetic spider silk.

Company	Products	Advantages	Disadvantages
DuPont [15]	Kevlar®, Nomex®	Established materials Trusted in industry	Non-biodegradable Petrochemical reliance
DSM [16]	Dyneema®	World's strongest fiber Diverse applications	High costs Not environmentally friendly
Teijin Limited [17]	Twaron®, Technora®	High-performance fibers Global presence	Environmental concerns Market competition
Toray Industries [18]	Carbon fibers, composites	Leading supplier Advanced applications	High energy use Non-biodegradable
Covestro [19]	High-performance polymers	Wide product range Strong R&D	Environmental impact Sustainable competition

Table 3 Indirect Competitors of NTU-Taiwan SAC

Future Competitors

Future competitors may emerge due to the increasing interest in sustainable and high-performance materials. These could include:

Emerging Biotech Startups:
- Startups leveraging AI and synthetic biology to develop new biomaterials.
- Potential to disrupt the market with innovative solutions.
Large Chemical and Material Companies:
- Companies like BASF or Bayer entering the biomaterials space.
- They have substantial resources for R&D and market penetration.
Academic Spin-offs:
- University research leading to commercialization of new materials.
- Access to cutting-edge technology and research talent.

05. Strategic Growth and Product Development Roadmap

Strategies to Stay Competitive

To maintain market competitiveness, NTU-Taiwan SAC plans to continuously innovate by enhancing the GPT-driven spider silk prediction model, optimizing production processes for cost efficiency, emphasizing eco-friendly practices like wastewater utilization, offering tailored solutions to meet specific customer needs, and ensuring compliance with international standards to establish leadership in sustainable biomaterials. Additionally, we will actively engage with stakeholders, including wastewater treatment plants, downstream manufacturers, and local fermentation facilities for scale-up, while collaborating with academia to develop new technologies for large-scale purification and further enhance our AI system.

Figure 3. NTU-Taiwan SAC Project: Product Development Roadmap

Figure 4. NTU-Taiwan Business Model Canvas

06. Regulations

1. Taiwan Regulations

Industrial Applications	Aspect	Details
Industrial Applications	Regulatory Body	Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI) [20]
Industrial Applications	Requirements	- Compliance with Chinese National Standards (CNS) [21] - Environmental impact assessments may be necessary
Medical Applications	Regulatory Body	Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (FDA) [22]
	Classification	Likely classified as Class II or III medical devices
	Requirements	- Pre-market approval - Possible clinical trials
Textile and Consumer Products	Compliance	Consumer Protection Act [23]
Textile and Consumer Products	Trade Regulation	Bureau of Foreign Trade oversees import/export [24]

Table 4 Regulations for the SAC Project Across Various Industries in Taiwan

2. Key International Standards

Standard	Description
ISO 13485	Medical devices quality management
ISO 14001	Environmental management systems
OEKO-TEX Standard 100	Testing for harmful substances in textiles
CE Marking	Required for European market entry
FDA Approval	Necessary for U.S. medical market

Table 5 Key International Standards and Regulations for the SAC Project

7. Buisness Plan

Reference

Content