Commodity
Index-linkedBulk Silk follows a global index more than a boutique mill.
Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
Strength44
Heat resistance30
Fire performance28
Insulation34
Workability60
Circularity50
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Last reviewed Sources & creditsMedia creditsMethodology
Quick answers
Is Silk non-combustible?
Declared reaction class in this atlas: combustible protein. Assemblies still need resistance tests.
Does Silk insulate?
Thermal mark 34/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: low.
What is the density band?
~1.34 g/cm³
How is it made?
Origin story: China Neolithic / Silk Road (China).
Can it be recycled?
Circularity mark 50/100 — editorial, route-specific.
Typical melting or failure heat?
degrades; no thermoplastic melt
heat 30 · fire 28
Prices are bands. A 2024 coil is not a 2026 contract. Labour and certification often dwarf the commodity.
Producers listed are landmarks for orientation, not a ranking or a procurement list.
Cost bands
Specified grade
PremiumTight chemistry, cleanliness or certification multiplies the unit price.
System
InstalledBoards, coats and labour dwarf kilogram prices.
Certified / medical / aero
HighestPaperwork is the product.
Trial / green route
PolicyLow-carbon or bio routes still trade on certificates.
Regions
East Asia
Volume production and finishing.
Europe
Standards (EN, Euroclass) and specialty.
North America
ASTM / NFPA language and large domestic mills.
Korea / Japan
High-spec sheet, fibres, electronics-adjacent ceramics.
Resource belts
Ore, plantations or energy that feed primary routes.
Global trade
Silk moves as coils, bales, boards or chemicals — check HS codes, not vibes.
Key numbers
~1.34 g/cm³Density
lowThermal
combustible proteinFire letter
34Atlas insulation
Producers
China
Still the volume filament.
India
Mulberry plus wild silks (tussar, eri, muga).
Uzbekistan
Central Asian heritage reels.
Brazil
New World sericulture.
Japan
High-end shrinking volume.
Thailand
Handloom luxury.
Ask for the route (primary, scrap, bio) before believing a green label.
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