Film, fibre, foam and adhesive materials are produced from soluble
S-sulfonated keratins. Once formed, the films, fibres, foams or adhesives
are treated to modify the properties of the materials, in particular to
improve the wet strength of the materials. Treatments used include
removal of the S-sulfonate group by treatment with a reducing agent,
treatment with an acid or treatment with a common protein crosslinking
agent or treatment with a reduced form of keratin or keratin protein. The
films are made by solvent casting a solution of S-sulfonated keratin
proteins, the foam made by freeze-drying a solution of S-sulfonated
keratin proteins and the fibres made by extruding a solution of a
S-sulfonated keratin protein.